Definition: The word 'acariform' is a genus in the family Acariidae, a group of parasitic flies that are found all over the world, but especially in tropical regions. The genus contains eight species. Each species is a fully enclosed female, with its reproductive organs attached to the female's abdomen and vagina. The male acariforms do not have any internal structures. A carinates (acariform males) will often be found on the underside of an adult insect. Carinates are characterized by their long, pointed teeth that they use to cut through the skin of their host insect. Insects such as mosquitoes and ticks are a common source for carinates in humans. They can be transmitted from person to person, causing diseases like malaria and yellow fever, or from animal-to-human transmission. The genus includes some species that can carry infectious parasites into humans, although this is rare. In general, the disease-causing insects in this group are very small and difficult to identify. Overall, acariforms play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of nature by controlling populations of other parasitic flies that may be present in an area.

acariform