Cunaxa

Cunaxa is a genus of predatory mites in the family Cunaxidae. There are at least 50 described species in Cunaxa.

Gnathosoma. Pedipalps–5-segmented and reach beyond the subcapitulum by at most the distal half of the tibiae. An apophysis on the telofemora present or absent. Dorsolateral setae on the basi- and telofemora simple. Stout spine-like setae on the genua and tibiotarsi present or absent. Tibiotarsi end in a strong claw. Subcapitulum with 6 pairs of setae: 2 pairs of adoral setae and 4 pairs of subcapitular setae (hg1–4). Subcapitulum smooth or patterned with random dots, but never reticulated. Idiosoma, dorsal. Proterosoma bears a shield that is complemented with 2 pairs of setae (at and pt) and 2 pairs of setose sensillae (lps and mps). Dorsal hysterosoma may bear a shield; if a shield is present, it may bear up to 4 pairs of setae. Dorsal shields may be smooth or patterned with random dots, but never reticulated. Lateral platelets (as in Armascirus and Dactyloscirus) absent. Setae c1–h1, and c2 present. Setae not born on the median plate may be born on small platelets that are barely larger than the setal socket. Cupule im present laterad and caudally of e1. Integument not bearing the proterosomal shield and median plate (if present) striated. These striations smooth or lobed but never papillated. Idiosoma, ventral. Coxae I–II may be fused and coxae III–IV may be fused. Coxae II–IV setal formula 1-3-2. Genital plates each bear 4 setae; 2 pairs of genital papillae visible underneath the plates. Anal plates bear 1 pair of setae (ps1). 1 pair of setae (h2) associated with, but do not occur on, the anal plates. Cupule ih present in close proximity to h2. Integument between plates striated and bears up to 7 pairs of additional setae. Legs. Tarsi long and slender. Tarsi constricted distally but the tarsal lobes are small and not conspicuous as in Armascirus and Dactyloscirus. A trichobothrium on tibia IV present. Ambulacral claws on either side of a 4-rayed empodium present.