Tick larva maybe? - BugGuide.Net

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… Jonas Insinga, 5 July, 2008 - 9:07am

Mite

I doubt this is a larval tick. Look at the mouthparts, the palps appear to be bent below the plane of the body and the remainder is wedge-shaped. Larval tick mouthparts, while differing somewhat from those of adults, still look tick-like, while those of this specimen do not.

… Jon Oliver, 14 June, 2008 - 12:55am

Second.

You know, this looks more like this fellow: http://bugguide.net/node/view/156963/bgimage
This is what a larval deer tick looks like:
http://webpages.charter.net/balplanman/_MicPix/Ticks/TickLarva5.jpg
Note that your guy lacks a scutum (the collar plate behind the head.)

… Jonas Insinga, 5 July, 2008 - 9:04am

You got it right the first time....tick larva

Good call, google ticks and deer ticks etc and do your own comparison....tick larva are the size of mites and only have 6 legs..it's not until their first molt that nymph stage they get 8 legs.

… michael marchiano, 24 February, 2008 - 8:45pm

So, is it a microscopic deer tick larva?

Thank you, Michael. I based my guess only on pictures I saw of ticks and their larvae. We're learning as we go. This is a great science project!

Cheryl and Johnny

… Cheryl J Blake, 24 February, 2008 - 10:22pm

More likely a mite...

The size certainly argues for a mite, but I'm not qualified to say one way or the other.

… Chuck Entz, 23 February, 2008 - 10:03pm

Do we know what kind of mite?

Any clues on where to look for mites on the site?

Cheryl

… Cheryl J Blake, 23 February, 2008 - 10:06pm

Not sure what kind

Our guide page that includes both mites and ticks is here.

… Chuck Entz, 23 February, 2008 - 10:16pm

Thanks again!

Yep, 2nd from the right on the bottom row has similar markings to the one we have. Methinks we have a mite!

C & J

… Cheryl J Blake, 23 February, 2008 - 10:25pm