The present paper revises the Australian and South African species of Halotydeus Berlese. The redlegged earth mite H. destructor(Tucker) is redescribed, and four new species are described (H. anthropus, H. bakerae, H. castellusand H. spectatus). A key to species is provided. Halotydeus destructor is an important pest of leguminous pasture and other crop plants, but the three Australian species (H. bakerae, H. castellus and H. spectatus)occur in native vegetation and are not believed to be of any economic significance. The pest status of the South African species H. anthropus has not yet been determined.