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Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Chelicerates (Chelicerata) » Arachnids (Arachnida) » Mites and Ticks (Acari) » Acariformes » Trombidiformes » Prostigs (Prostigmata) » Anystina » Parasitengona » Erythraeina » Long-Legged Velvet Mites (Erythraeoidea) » Erythraeidae » long-legged erythraeids (Erythraeinae) » Augustsonella
Photo#1009828
Mite - Augustsonella
Copyright © 2014 Alice Abela

Mite - Augustsonella
Surf Beach, Santa Barbara County, California, USA
October 14, 2014
Size: ~3mm legspan
Found in sandy foredune habitat
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Contributed by Alice Abela on 14 October, 2014 - 11:01pm
Last updated 17 October, 2014 - 7:14pm

Great!
Excellent find! Augustsonella are fast running, iridescent mites that live exclusively in dry, sandy environments like deserts, some scrub, and dunes. They are highly resistant to water loss and can be incredibly abundant locally. I am currently working on the taxonomy of this genus with Cal Welbourn and may split some species into a new genus. This group is found exclusively in western North America. Nice photo! With their speed, size, and iridescence, they can be difficult to photograph!
… Ray Fisher, 17 October, 2014 - 7:20pm login or register to post comments

 
Thanks Ray!
Thanks for the ID. This mite was unusual in that it was sitting still, hence the photos. My previous attempts at photography of these have failed due to their refusal to sit still.
… Alice Abela, 17 October, 2014 - 8:12pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from Mites and Ticks.
… Ray Fisher, 17 October, 2014 - 7:14pm login or register to post comments

Moved
Moved from ID Request.
… Ken Wolgemuth, 15 October, 2014 - 5:04am login or register to post comments

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