ARACHNIDS

MITES

Mites  are eight-legged arthropods belonging to a group known as arachnids which also contain spiders, harvestmen and ticks. Most are less than 1mm long and are easily overlooked due to their tiny size. They live in a range of habitats, many live in soil as decomposers, some live in water and others on plants creating galls. Some live on animals as predators or parasites. Mites develop in four stages: egg, larva, nymph and adult.

Red Velvet Mites are small brightly coloured arachnids. Adults (typically 4mm long) inhabit plant litter. The adults are predators whereas the early instars are usually parasites on insects.

Mite larvae belonging to the genus Leptus are oval six-legged parasites (see harvestman's leg in picture) that live on the surface of a host's body. They feed by piercing the host's skin to draw fluids using a device like a drinking straw. After feeding the larvae drop off to pupate and turn into nymphs before reaching the adult stage. The hosts usually survive however their lives may be shortened. The adult is the reproductive stage. Nymphs and adults have eight legs.

Phoretic Mites use a host purely as a means of transportation (see beetle neck in picture). This can be beneficial for both host and mite. The Sexton Beetle seeks carrion to bury as a food store for its young. The mites prey on maggots and other competition attracted to the same food source. This leaves the carrion untouched for the beetle's larvae to feed upon. When the new adult beetles emerge they carry the mites away to another carcass and the cycle repeats.

Brian Ecott found this Buff-tailed Bumblebee with mites around its neck. Mites sometimes hitch a lift on bees and occasionally they become a problem for their host if there are too many.

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