Identification, Images, & Information
For Insects, Spiders & Their Kin
For the United States & Canada
Photo#36531
Harvestman Parasite - Leptus

Harvestman Parasite - Leptus
DuPage County, Illinois, USA
I often photograph harvestmen with these orange /red gizmos on their bodies, and most often their legs. Does anyone know what they are? Eggs? Thanks for any help. More and larger pictures here: Cirrus Digital Imaging / Harvestman

Moved
Moved from Parasitengona.

mite on harvestman
Almost certainly a species of Leptus (family Erythraeidae). There are a number of species in this genus described as parasites of North American harvestmen.

Moved
Moved from Mites and Ticks.

Parasitengona
Images 93855, 84930 & 36531 - Most probably larvae of the family Thrombidiidae or Erythraeidae - Larvae of these families are parasitic, but the nymphs and adults are free living predators.

Dr. Eddie Ueckermann
Plant Protection Research Institute
Queenswood
Pretoria
South Africa

(Note: Since both groups are in suborder Parasitengona, that's where I'm placing these images. -Jim McClarin)

Moved
Moved from Mites.

I wonder......
if it might be a parasitic mite, Bruce? I often see them on dragonflies.

Bob