17th International Congress of Acarology: Montpellier Hosts world-wide Specialists

A Must-Attend World Event

Every four years, the International Congress of Acarology brings together world-wide specialists of these arachnids. In 2026, France is hosting the event for the first time, in Montpellier. The city was chosen thanks to the UMR CBGP (Cirad, INRAE, IRD, Institut Agro), a world-renowned laboratory for its work on the biology and systematics of mites, upholding a long tradition in acarology and supporting the world's oldest acarology journal, Acarologia.

Alongside Institut Agro and INRAE, the organizing committee includes researchers from CNRS and Paul-Valéry University Montpellier, as well as colleagues from Canada and Australia. For Institut Agro Montpellier, the event involves Serge Kreiter, Marie-Stéphane Tixier, Alice Charalabidis, and Martial Douin, all affiliated to the UMR CBGP.
 

A Theme That Looks to the Future While Honoring Its Past

The congress is centered around the theme: "Navigating the Future of Acarology: Honoring Tradition, Advancing Knowledge." 

55,000 to 60,000 Species of Mites Described to Date

Mites are found in water, soil, plants, animals, and even our homes. Their diverse roles make them a key subject of research in agriculture, human and animal health, and beyond. The congress will cover these fields, from systematics to ecology, bringing together academic and professional partners to discuss ongoing work and forge new collaborations.

Five Days of Science, Meetings, and Images

The congress will take place over five days at the La Gaillarde campus. It will feature plenary lectures, oral presentations, and poster sessions. Each day will begin with a plenary session. On Monday, Gerald Krantz, emeritus professor at Oregon State University and a leading figure in world Acarology since 1955, will deliver the opening lecture. Subsequent plenary sessions will cover topics ranging from mite taxonomy to agroecology and deep learning applied to genetic diversity and ecology.

The 2026 edition will also launch the 1st Gary Bauchon Acari Photo Illustration Competition, open to pictures and illustrations of mites. Three categories will be featured: macrophotography, micrography, and scientific illustration. This competition will reveal the astonishing diversity of mite forms, from stereomicroscopes to electron microscopes, unseen by the naked eye.