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Photo#35581
Beetle with too many mites - Poecilochirus

Beetle with too many mites - Poecilochirus
Jim Thorpe, PA 18229, Carbon County, Pennsylvania, USA

Images of this individual: tag all
Beetle with too many mites - Poecilochirus Beetle with too many mites - Poecilochirus Beetle with too many mites - Poecilochirus

Moved
Moved from Mesostigmata.

Nicrophorus mites
The mites are in the family Parasitidae, genus Poecilochirus. Species in this genus inhabit vertebrate carrion and ride on silphid beetles. They don't show host specificity, but mix up in larger carcasses where adult beetles come to feed. Those on Nicrophorus ride back on the adult and enter the brood cell and reproduce there.

probably Mesostigmata
Suggested Mesostigmata

Dr. Gilberto Jose de Moraes
USP ESALQ Zoologia
Caixa Postal 09
13418-900 Piracicaba SP
Brazil

 
Oh ! Thanks! I didn't expect
Oh ! Thanks! I didn't expect someone to know what of
mites they were! ^_^

 
Mite authorities from around the globe
have been helping out :-)

Moved
Moved from Mites and Ticks.

Moved
Moved from Mites.

Too many!
This species is noted for being public transportation for mites, and Eric has assured us the beetle isn't harmed, but yes, this looks like too many mites to carry around!

--Stephen

Stephen Cresswell
Buckhannon, WV
www.stephencresswell.com

 
These are my photos I had men
These are my photos I had mentioned a while ago that brought up my question on transportation.

This beetle looked weighted down-it couldn't fly and could barely walk.

Jo

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