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Photo#1317206
Unid. Mite

Unid. Mite
at home, Houston, Harris County, Texas, USA
November 26, 2016
Size: ~100 microns or less
I find this mite regularly on this aphid-infested landscaping plant at my apartment complex. It has a pair of very well-defined dark red spots that seem to protrude slightly from the rest of the cuticle.

Moved
Moved from Mites and Ticks. Thanks, Heather.

Oribatida: oil glands
The dark spots are oil glands, and the mite is an oribatid. But whether it is a member of the oribatid subgroup Astigmata (which is still often presented as a taxon co-equal to Oribatida) or if it is a non-astigmatan oribatid is unclear. A better resolved photo is required. At any rate, these mites would most likely be feeding on fungus or rotting plant matter.

Cheers,
Heather

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