Mites in the genus Holostaspis Kolenati, 1858 (Acari: Laelapidae) are usually found in association with ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). In this paper we review the genus based on examination of six species from Slovakia, namely H. ambigua sp. nov., H. collina (Huhta & Karg, 2010), H. flexuosa (Michael, 1891) comb. nov., H. isotricha Kolenati, 1858, H. montana (Berlese, 1904) and H. oophila (Wasmann, 1897). We also carried out a careful study of the published work on Holostaspis and related genera, and examined types in the Berlese Acaroteca and other collections. Seven species previously described under the names Hypoaspis (Holostaspis) and Holostaspis are transferred to other genera—H. (H.) brevidentis Karg, 1978 = Pseudoparasitus brevidentis (Karg, 1978) comb. nov., H. (H.) chelaris Teng, Zhang & Cui, 1992 = Euandrolaelaps chelaris (Teng, Zhang & Cui, 1992) comb. nov., H. (H.) metapodalii Karg, 1978 = Gymnolaelaps metapodalii (Karg, 1978) comb. nov., H. mooni Keum, Jung & Joharchi, 2017 = Hypoaspisella mooni (Keum, Jung & Joharchi, 2017) comb. nov., H. (H.) serpentis Karg, 1979 = Hypoaspisella serpentis (Karg, 1979) comb. nov., H. (H.) tridentata Karg, 1979 = Gymnolaelaps tridentatus (Karg, 1979) comb. nov., and Holostaspis (Holostaspis) marginedentatus Trägårdh, 1910 is transferred to Glyptholaspis (Macrochelidae). Based on features of the type specimens (deposited at the Berlese Collection in Florence), the morphological concept of Myrmonyssus (Laelaspulus) acuminatus Berlese, 1903 is revised and the systematic status of the subgenus is re-evaluated. The monobasic Laelaspulus Berlese, 1904 is now removed from synonymy with Myrmozercon Berlese, 1902 and newly considered as a junior synonym of Holostaspis. Another four revised species, originally classified in Laelaps Koch, Myrmozercon Berlese or Hypoaspis Canestrini, are transferred into Holostaspis—L. flexuosa Michael, 1891 = Holostaspis flexuosa (Michael, 1891) comb. nov., M. iranicus Babaeian & Nemati, 2014 = Holostaspis iranica (Babaeian & Nemati, 2014) comb. nov., M. michaeli Joharchi, 2013 = Holostaspis michaeli (Joharchi, 2013) comb. nov., and H. submontana Bai, Gu & Chen, 1994 = Holostaspis submontana (Bai, Gu & Chen, 1994) comb. nov. A complete list of all species formerly classified in Holostaspis is presented, with details of their current placement. An identification key for the species now included in Holostaspis is also provided.

A new species of laelapid mite, Myrmozercon hunteri sp. nov. associated with Myrmica sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), is described and illustrated. A key to 18 species of Myrmozercon is presented. Ten further species, all described prior to 1950, are briefly diagnosed but cannot be included in the key. Myrmozercon is shown to include a distinct group, Myrmozercon sensu stricto, which all have short, highly hypotrichous legs and a series of other consistent character states. This group probably arises from within Myrmozercon sensu lato, which have long legs with little or no hypotrichy, but some species also have character states found in Myrmozercon s.s. Myrmozercon ovatum Karawajew, 1909 is regarded a junior synonym of M. brevipes Berlese, 1902.

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We describe a new species of mite from Iran-Reticulolaelaps hallidayi Joharchi, Nemati & Babaeian sp. nov. (Acari: Laelapidae). The new species was collected in a nest of Tapinoma sp. (Hymnoptera: Formicidae) in Taleghan city, Alborz Province and in soil in Khuzestan province in southwestern Iran. Reticulolaelaps faini is reported for the first time from Iran. The genus Reticulolaelaps is redescribed, and Reticulolaelaps lativentris Karg is transferred to Pseudoparasitus Oudemans.

A new species of mite is described from Iran, Laelaspisella elsae sp. n. (Acari: Laelapidae). The new species was collected from bark of elm trees in Isfahan province. A revised diagnosis for Laelaspisella, as well as a key to the world species of the genus, are presented. Two species groups of Laelaspisella are proposed: those with seta pd3 on genu I and those without pd3 on genu I. Pseudoparasitus (Gymnolaelaps) tonsilis Karg, 1989a is transferred to Laelaspisella, based on its hypertrichous holodorsal shield, metasternal setae st4 absent and genu IV with ten setae. The problems with Laelaspisella canestrinii are explained and Laelaspisella canestrinii sensu Berlese (1903), (1904) and Costa (1962) is provided with a new name, Laelaspisella berlesei Joharchi, nom. n.