Chigger mites of Afghanistan were studied on the base of collections made in Eastern and Central Hindu Kush, Kabul, and some other localities. Fifteen chigger species parasitizing nine species of Rodentia, two species of Lagomorpha, and one species of Soricomorpha were found, including 13 species which were not previously recorded in Afghanistan. Eco-geographical variability is observed in Shunsennia oudemansi: Individuals of this species from high-mountain localities of Eastern Hindu Kush are characterized by larger values of most morphometric characters than the specimens collected in Kabul. Vertical and horizontal distribution of chiggers and chigger-host relationships in Eastern Hindu Kush is discussed. Comparison of our data with that on chigger fauna in the region of Tirich Mir clearly demonstrates the role of the Eastern Hindu Kush main ridge as a border between different chigger faunas.

Chigger mites of Iran have been revised based on examination of type materials in the collection of Zoological Museum of Moscow University and reference data. Hitherto, 85 species of trombiculids were recorded in Iran; synonymy, diagnoses, data on depositories of type specimens, lists of hosts and collection localities are given for each species. Original measurements of holotypes or paratypes are provided for 46 species. Four new combinations are proposed: Ornithogastia merops (Vercammen-Grandjean, Rohde and Mesghali, 1970) comb. nov., transferred from Guntherana; O. oenanthe (Vercammen-Grandjean, Rohde and Mesghali, 1970) comb. nov., transferred from Guntherana; Microtrombicula galerida (Vercammen-Grandjean, Rohde and Mesghali, 1970), comb. nov., transferred from Eltonella; and M. meriones (Vercammen-Grandjean, Rohde and Mesghali, 1970), comb. nov., transferred from Eltonella. Comparison of our measurements of holotypes with those given in the original species descriptions published by Kudryashova was carried out using statistical methods to establish probable systematic bias between metric data obtained by different researchers. A key to species of Iranian trombiculid larvae is compiled. With the use of public geoinformation online resources, actual names and coordinates were established for all 48 sites of Iran where chigger mites were collected.

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Makolia crimeaensis Saboori, Khaustov & Hakimitabar gen. et sp. nov. (Acari: Erythraeidae) is described and illustrated from larvae ectoparasitic on Lasius sp. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from Ukraine. A key to world genera of Erythraeinae (larva) is presented and the genus Zhangiella Saboori, Cobanoglu & Bayram is synonymised with Curteria Southcott.

Chigger mites of northern Iran were studied on the basis of field collections from rodent hosts. Thirty-five species were recorded. Two new species, Cheladonta afshari Stekolnikov and Shamsi sp. nov., collected on Apodemus sp. in Guilan and Mazandaran Provinces, and Neotrombicula tehranensis Stekolnikov and Shamsi sp. nov., collected on Cricetulus migratorius and Chionomys sp. in Tehran Province, are described. One new synonym is established: Neotrombicula vernalis (Willmann, 1942) (= Neotrombicula kermani Kudryashova, 1977 syn. nov.). Seventeen species were recorded in Iran for the first time; thus, the number of known Iranian chiggers constitutes 104. The record of Neotrombicula autumnalis (Shaw, 1790) in Iran is important from the veterinarian and medical points of view, as this species attacks humans and domestic animals.

Achaemenothrombium cyrusi gen. et sp. nov. (Acari, Prostigmata: Trombidioidea) is described and illustrated from larvae ectoparasitic on Catocala sp. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) from Tehran, Iran and Achaemenothrombium talebii (Karimi Irvanlou & Kamali, 2001) comb. nov. is redescribed. A new family, Achaemenothrombiidae is proposed for accommodating this genus. A key to families of larval Trombidioidea and to species of Achaemenothrombium (larva) is presented.

Charletonia talebii n. sp. (Acari, Erythraeidae) is described and illustrated from ectoparasitic larvae on nymphs and adults of undetermined Cicadellidae (Heteroptera) from Jahrom, Iran. We present a key to larval species of Charletonia that have two setae between coxae II and III.

Collemboerythraeus vosoughae Noei, Saboori and Hakimitabar gen. et sp. nov. (Acari: Erythraeidae) is described and illustrated from larvae ectoparasitic on unidentified springtails (Hexapoda: Collembola: Sminthuridae) from Jahrom city, Fars province, and also from soil samples (off host) from Khorramabad city, Lorestan province, Iran. A key to the genera of larval Erythraeinae is presented.