fungus mite?

Weird

Man that's weird! Those two wing-shields close to guard the legs right?
Man, it reminds me of a tiny transformer or something! XD

… Jonas Insinga, 4 February, 2008 - 4:38pm

That's my guess also,

although I've never read what function they serve.

… Jim McClarin, 4 February, 2008 - 5:40pm

Rather common

I've read about them but never actually seen them (either in real life of in photographs). However having such armor is not uncommon among oribatids. It's because oribatids are heavily preyed on by larger carnivorous mites that hunt them down & suck them dry. So, in the evolutionary arms race, many oribatids have developed thick armor &/or the ability to retract their legs & head into their bodies for safety.
There was once a little documentary on discovery about mites & ticks I had my parents record onto VHS for me. Good stuff!

… Jonas Insinga, 4 February, 2008 - 5:56pm

Moved

Moved from Galumna.

… Jim McClarin, 25 February, 2007 - 11:13am

Moved

Moved from Mites and Ticks.

… Jim McClarin, 5 February, 2007 - 7:55pm

likely Galumna sp.

Images 85531, 92565, 85529, 85530, 85528, 43759, 43758, 43757, 42627
(Galumna sp.?), 42617 (Galumna sp.?) & 42616 (Galumna sp.?) - Order
Oribatei or Cryptostigmata)

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

(Note: I will take this as Order Oribatida, where Galumna is found under new system. -Jim McClarin)

… Jim McClarin, 5 February, 2007 - 7:53pm

Moved

Moved from Mites.

… Jim McClarin, 30 December, 2006 - 11:14am