Apr 5
The first giant red velvet mites of the season.
Cochise County, Arizona, July 2025.
seen from Germany
seen from Yemen
seen from Yemen
seen from Germany
seen from Singapore
seen from Poland
seen from Singapore
seen from Germany
seen from Singapore
seen from United States
seen from Italy
seen from Spain
seen from Iraq
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Spain
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Morocco
seen from United States
The first giant red velvet mites of the season.
Cochise County, Arizona, July 2025.
The first giant red velvet mites of the season.
They don't look very fearsome, but these little fluffballs are predators. They live underground, and the adults only emerge after heavy rain to hunt for swarming termites. You can read more about them at BugGuide.
Cochise County, Arizona, July 4, 2024.
The first peppermint mite* of monsoon season. Coronado National Memorial, Cochise County Arizona, July 4, 2021.
* It’s really just a red velvet mite with different coloration, but these look like Starlight Peppermints to me, and I always think of them that way.
Red velvet mites after one of the first big monsoon storms. Coronado National Memorial, July 4, 2021.