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Photo#418814
Bee attacked by whirligig mites - Diadasia bituberculata

Bee attacked by whirligig mites - Diadasia bituberculata
Santiago Oaks Regional Park, Orange, Orange County, California, USA
June 28, 2010
As soon as the bee vanished, a sort of whirlwind/duststorm ensued, with small orange/brown particles swirling along and just inside the circumference of the burrow. Looking a bit more closely, I detected legs on the particles and also thought I saw wings. (The latter thought was later proven wrong.)

Fellow shooter Nick Richter saw similar action and reported it much in the way I have:

"At Santiago Oaks there were a lot of mites whirling around the burrows of the bees moving so fast they seemed blown by the wind."

I always appreciate confirmation, as I tend to hallucinate.

Images of this individual: tag all
Bee attacked by whirligig mites - Diadasia bituberculata - female Bee attacked by whirligig mites - Diadasia bituberculata Bee attacked by whirligig mites - Diadasia bituberculata Bee attacked by whirligig mites - Diadasia bituberculata - female Bee attacked by whirligig mites? Yes! (They're probably erythracarines.) Bee attacked by whirligig mites? Yes! (They're probably erythracarines.)

Excellent documentation...
...of some intriguing interspecies interaction. I love these series that tell a story!

I always appreciate confirmation, as I tend to hallucinate.

Ha, ha, ha! Thanks for making me smile this morning.

 
Wish I could have gotten better shots of the mites.
Went back today and didn't see much. OTOH, I have another nesting site at Irvine Regional Park, and it's still active. Will be posting later.

Actually, I misperceive more than I hallucinate. Outcome is about the same.

Moved
Moved from ID Request.

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