document.write('<font size="2"> <p>Mites and ticks, collectively known as the Acari, constitute the second most diverse group of animals on the planet today and are of interest to humans for a variety of reasons. They directly affect our well being as parasites, vectors of disease, and producers of allergens. They are responsible for millions of dollars worth of economic losses each year as a result of infestations of our agricultural systems.</p><p>The acari are ubiquitous. They are members of every major ecosystem on earth, and their specific habitats run the gamut from the familiar to the truly bizarre. From our backyards to the geothermal springs of the Yellowstone caldera and from the subcutaneous tissue of turtles to our very own hair follicles, mites carry out a nearly invisible existence.</p><p> While awareness of the acari dates back to ancient Egypt (1550 BC) and was continually demonstrated throughout the writings of the major Greek scholars, the science of acarology originated in 18th century Europe. Linnaeus described the first mite, <i>Acarus siro</i>, in 1758, thus laying the groundwork for the field of systematic acarology. Today, there are over 48,000 described species of mites and ticks worldwide while current estimates place total diversity at over a half-million species.</p></font>');