[1] Stratiolaelaps scimitus and the similar species, S. aculiefer are soil-dwelling, predatory mites.

Stratiolaelaps mites feed on fungus gnats, springtails, thrips pupae, and other small insects in the soil.

Stratiolaelaps is well adapted to moist conditions in greenhouses in a variety of growing media, but does not tolerate standing water.

In small-scale experiments this mite reduced emergence of adult thrips to about 30% of that in controls.

The eggs hatch in one to three days producing a six-legged larvae that grows into an eight-leg nymph.Time from egg to an adult is dependent on temperature, ranging from 10 to 34 days, with warmer temperatures producing quicker maturation.