#erythraeidae

[onenicebugperday]

Mite in the genus Caeculisoma, Erythraeidae

Photographed in Queensland by scottwgavins

[razehider]

everyone knows life as a small bug is dangerous, but it also looks really annoying sometimes. this Enoplops scapha nymph was otherwise healthy, but had two parasitic mites on it enjoying a meal, which i'm sure is a nuisance when you can't reach your back

this plant was covered in nymphs, and some of its older siblings were dealing with the mite problem too. it can be difficult to tell whether mites are parasitic or only phoretic (using a larger animal for transport), but it's pretty clear that these are the former, due to a number of factors including the fact that these things Never Go Anywhere

(June 22nd, 2025)

[clumsyvelvetworms]

Biggest, fluffiest feet I've ever seen on a Trombid... GAH I love these little guys so much I'm going to eat drywall

Subfamily Callidosomatinae, Order Trombidiformes. Victoria, Australia.

[creatureimages]

i keep finding rainbowia on the side of the road

[thereissomethingunderthestairs]

Even oriental broad-nosed weevils are not immune to bites from the love bug(mite)

(x by Hayath Mohammed, 2020)

[drhoz]

#3065- Leptus sp.

A widespread genus of large mites, with over 200 species.

Like most Erythraeidae, the larvae are parasitic on larger arthropods, and the adults predatory. However, for a long time 'Leptus autumnalis' AKA  harvest bug, or mower's mite, had a deserved reputation of badly biting anybody that worked in the fields at that time of year. But it wasn't a Leptus - instead the culprit proved to be the six-legged larvae of a Trombidium species.

Great Southern BioBlitz 2024, Wongan Hills - Christmas Rock.

[animalids]

Long-legged velvet mite (Leptus sp.)

Photo by Steve & Alison1

[reanimateobjects]