Mite eating a Globular Springtail

Moved

… v belov, 10 May, 2011 - 2:37pm

likely Mesostigmata

Most of the brownish, sclerotized mites belong to the Order
Mesostigmata but it is obviously difficult to distinguish families from photos.

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

… Jim McClarin, 5 February, 2007 - 9:07pm

Amazing photo!

...But how does one recognize this mite as sclerotized. Is it the fact that it is not perfectly smooth, or has hair, or other?

… Arthur Scott Macmillan, 4 February, 2008 - 6:07pm

It's its brownishness :-)

Most sclerotization shows up as a deepened color, typically tan/brown/almost black depending on extent or thickness.

… Jim McClarin, 4 February, 2008 - 7:42pm

Good to know!

That's something that should prove very helpful in recognizing differences between mites. I've not been able to capture very much detail on possible mites I have seen, but I'd still like to be able to recognize some of their traits, should I ever get lucky!

… Arthur Scott Macmillan, 5 February, 2008 - 12:48am

Moved

Moved from Mites and Ticks.

… Jim McClarin, 5 February, 2007 - 9:03pm

Moved

Moved from Mites.

… Jim McClarin, 30 December, 2006 - 10:19am

Wow

… Jim McClarin, 2 December, 2006 - 9:26pm

Good little hunters

I saw a few of these mites running carrying something around, and wasn't able to make it out until I enlarged the pictures.

… tom murray, 2 December, 2006 - 10:14pm

Nice

I have a newfound understanding of just how tiny globular springtails are!

… Cliff Bernzweig, 3 December, 2006 - 12:33am

Likely a young springtail

Most adult globular springtails, depending on species, would be as large as the mite. Some that Tom has photographed would be way larger.

… Jim McClarin, 3 December, 2006 - 5:18am

Makes sense. I guess they are still pretty tiny anyway.

… Cliff Bernzweig, 3 December, 2006 - 8:32am