whats this?
Bugman,
Thanks for the hard work you put in to your wonderful site! My sweetie and I have been exploring a meadow in central mass -part of an audubon refuge- and have become quite fascinated with the monarch butterflies and their exploding population. Over the past few months we’ve spent a lot of time there and we’ve been working on witnessing every stage of their amazing transformation. I have a terrible attention span, however, and at one point I wandered away from the shiny chrysalis I’d been staring at and got surprised by this bug buzzing around in the tall grass. I managed to snap a few pictures of it before it flew away, but I think this was one of the creepier bug-spectacles I’ve seen yet. Please tell us whether it’s a mom offering her offspring a ride or a swarm of parasitical mites!
Andrew, Arlington Mass.

Hi Andrew,
This is neither. It is a beetle giving a ride to some Mites, a phenomenom known as Phoresy. We often get photos of Mites using Burying Beetles for transportation to a fresh carcass. This looks more like a Flower Scarab Beetle, but we will see if Eric Eaton can provide further insight. Eric quickly wrote back: “Had me fooled for a moment, too, but it IS a burying beetle, specifically Nicrophorus tomentosus, named for the yellow tomentum (fuzz) on its thorax. Eric”

mite comments
Hi folks – I just ran across your site with the mite photos and
questions. Your identifications and responses are generally good, but I can provide some corrections and additional information for you to use as you see fit.
1. Mites on burying beetles. These are as you indicate, phoretic mites in the family Parasitidae, genus Poecilochirus. Species in this genus all have obligate relationships with silphid beetles. Although they will feed on fly eggs, they also feed from the vertebrate carrion as well.
2. Predatory running mites. All of the mites in the photos you call by this name are species in the family Erythraeidae, genus Balaustium. I think you have these confused with species in the family Anystidae, genus Anystis. Both of these mites are relatively large (for mites!), red in color, and commonly occur in aggregations. Anystis are the very fast moving, predatory mites. Their body is almost circular in outline. They run in what appears to be a random fashion until they encounter small arthropod prey. These are harmless to people. Balaustium, on the other hand, are more elongate as seen in your photos, with a distinct gap between the 2nd and 3rd legs. Species of Erythraeidae have piercing mouthparts and are also predatory on small arthropods or eggs in their post-larval stages, but Balaustium are unusual in being pollen feeders. They can be found in large numbers in flowers, but are most often seen by people on flat surfaces where pollen falls. These mites have been reported to bite people, causing some irritation, although why they do this is uncertain since they’re not parasitic.
3. "More computer loving mites" 3/21/06. This is a "clover mite", Bryobia praetiosa. This is one of the spider mites, but Bryobia species don’t make the silk webs most often associated with this group. Bryobia are plant feeding mites that are rather non-specific and often feed on plants growing in lawns or otherwise around homes. This species is unusual in that it overwinters as adults and seeks out warmer places in the fall. They commonly enter houses or other buildings. The spider mites belong to the order Trombidiformes, like Anystis and Balaustium, and many, like Bryobia, are also red in color. The dark material seen in the photo is ingested plant material. These are harmless to people, but will leave a red mark on the wall if you squish them!
4. Computer loving mites (1/3/06). This is a species in the family Acaridae, genus Tyrophagus. One of the most common mites found in homes or other buildings, Tyrophagus putrescentiae, sometimes called the "mold mite" will feed on a wide range of organic materials. They are white, somewhat oblong in shape, and have long body setae. They can be part of the normal "house dust fauna" and may be a minor source for house dust allergy. They’re fairly desiccation tolerant as mites go.
5. Mites in the pantry (12/16/05). This is probably a predatory mite in the family Laelapidae. Species of Stratiolaelaps and Cosmolaelaps are not uncommon in the "house dust fauna" and eat the other mites.
6. Mites on reptiles and remedy (11/10/05). This is the "snake mite", Ophionyssus natricis (family Macronyssidae). This is a very serious, blood feeding pest of many snakes, especially captive individuals. They can be a mortality factor if the owner lets numbers build up in the enclosure. These mites feed only on blood, but remain off the host unless feeding. They can quickly build up a significant population. Keeping the snake enclosure clean is the best preventative.
7. Unidentified mite, maybe?… (10/07/05). This is a parasitic mite in the family Macronyssidae, genus Ornithonyssus. These are the most common "bird" or "rodent" mites you mention. These are similar to the Ophionyssus mentioned above in living in the nest material and feeding on the host blood. Ornithonyssus sylviarum (the Northern fowl mite), O. bursa (the tropical fowl mite) and O. bacoti (the tropical rat mite) all occur in California; the first two are parasites of a wide variety of birds, the last parasitizes rodents, commonly commensal rats. All readily bite people when the normal host is no longer around. The remedy is to locate the bird nest or get rid of the rat problem.
8. Angelitos – Cool photos of these fascinating mites!
9. Mites on harvester (6/28/05). These are parasitic larvae in the family Erythraeidae, genus Leptus. Leptus species can be found parasitizing a wide variety of arthropods in their larval stage. Post- larvae are predatory.
10. Mites on newborn’s head (6/21/05). Another Ornithonyssus (see above).
11. Culture mites (2/14/05). You’re right that this is a species of Acarus, most likely Acarus siro. This is the most common "cheese mite" infesting cheese produced in traditional operations. As a historical note, this species was the first mite named by Linnaeus!
12. Locust mites on dragonfly (8/7/04). You’re close here. These mites are related to trombidiids, erythraeids and chiggers, but are actually larval water mites in the family Arrenuridae, genus Arrenurus. Water mites have the same life cycle as their terrestrial relatives (i.e. parasitic larva, predatory post-larvae), but the predatory stages are fully aquatic, living in ponds, lakes and streams. Arrenurus species commonly parasitize odonates. Unlike the red larvae, the post-larvae are a beautiful greenish blue, and are good swimmers in ponds & lakes.
Keep up the good work!
All the best! – Barry
So many mites, so little time!
Barry M. OConnor phone: 734-763-4354
Curator & Professor fax: 734-763-4080
Museum of Zoology e-mail: bmoc@umich.edu
University of Michigan
1109 Geddes Ave
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1079

Wow Barry,
You are our new hero!!! We are thrilled your letter came on the anniversary of Carl Linnaues birth in 1707. We have posted your letter in its entirety at the top of our mite page and will post the appropriate corrections with the appropriate letters when we have a moment. If you do not want your contact information listed on our site, we will remove it at your request. Thanks and have a great day.
Daniel and Lisa Anne

red mite
Hi,
I live in NJ and have these teeny tiny pin size red bugs covering my concrete porch and steps. They’ve also started climbing up my house around the door frame but haven’t managed to get themselves inside yet. They appeared around this time last year and eventually went away, however this year there are many many more of them. They leave red stains when squished. They look similar to predatory running mites I’ve seen on your site, although I can’t tell if they are exactly the same. What are they, what can I do, how long will they last? Are they dangerous to children? I have a 2 year old that is obsessed with them and as much as I try to keep her away from them, I’m fearful she’ll get a hold of them sooner or later. Please help!
Kelly

Hi Kelly,
Generally, but not always, small predators need small prey. In the spring, newly hatched insects are small. Predatory Running Mites are more plentiful when their food supply abounds. As insects grow too large to be prey, the predator population will decline. These Predatory Running Mites will not harm your child.

Update From Barry M. OConnor (05/23/2006)
Predatory running mites. All of the mites in the photos you call by this name are species in the family Erythraeidae, genus Balaustium. I think you have these confused with species in the family Anystidae, genus Anystis. Both of these mites are relatively large (for mites!), red in color, and commonly occur in aggregations. Anystis are the very fast moving, predatory mites. Their body is almost circular in outline. They run in what appears to be a random fashion until they encounter small arthropod prey. These are harmless to people. Balaustium, on the other hand, are more elongate as seen in your photos, with a distinct gap between the 2nd and 3rd legs. Species of Erythraeidae have piercing mouthparts and are also predatory on small arthropods or eggs in their post-larval stages, but Balaustium are unusual in being pollen feeders. They can be found in large numbers in flowers, but are most often seen by people on flat surfaces where pollen falls. These mites have been reported to bite people, causing some irritation, although why they do this is uncertain since they’re not parasitic.

Red bugs on the porch
Hello,
Great site! I live in Richmond, VA and the weather has been fairly warm for the last month. I’ve ventured out onto porch for the first time this year only to find several hundred little red bugs crawling over the painted wooden railing of my historic Fan district apartment. I am concerned that these bugs might be harmful in some way. It appears they are or are related to mites, but I was hoping you could confirm that with the attached macro shots. Sharpening in Photoshop has whitening the edges of their bodies slightly. Thanks,
Doug

Hi Doug,
They are Mites, but not all Mites are troublesome. These look like Predatory Running Mites that eat other small arthropods including young spiders and insects. They would be considered beneficial. We have been getting numerous letters lately without images from people complaining about the little red spiderlike creatures running around on their window sills. When squashed they leave a red mark. Thank you for supplying us with an image.

Update From Barry M. OConnor (05/23/2006)
Predatory running mites. All of the mites in the photos you call by this name are species in the family Erythraeidae, genus Balaustium. I think you have these confused with species in the family Anystidae, genus Anystis. Both of these mites are relatively large (for mites!), red in color, and commonly occur in aggregations. Anystis are the very fast moving, predatory mites. Their body is almost circular in outline. They run in what appears to be a random fashion until they encounter small arthropod prey. These are harmless to people. Balaustium, on the other hand, are more elongate as seen in your photos, with a distinct gap between the 2nd and 3rd legs. Species of Erythraeidae have piercing mouthparts and are also predatory on small arthropods or eggs in their post-larval stages, but Balaustium are unusual in being pollen feeders. They can be found in large numbers in flowers, but are most often seen by people on flat surfaces where pollen falls. These mites have been reported to bite people, causing some irritation, although why they do this is uncertain since they’re not parasitic.

Infested New Monitor
We received about 12 new Dell computers at our company a few weeks ago. While getting the first couple setup, I noticed small reddish brown "dots" moving around the flat screen monitors. After a little investigation, I found they seemed to be coming from an infestation inside the monitors. In particular, two monitors. Their shipping boxes had pinched burned or blacked corners, which probably occurred during shipping. I visited with Dell, and they are replacing the monitors. They claim their warehouse facilities are "clean" and inspected. As we have never had this happen previously, I will take their word this time. However, even a visit by Orkin and a bug bomb in the room where I had been working on the monitors….didn’t kill the creatures. They are probably around 1 millimeter in size….if I’m guessing correctly. They seem to look like some sort of mite. I was finally able to track down a good macro lens today, and take a couple of pictures. They move relatively fast, though they do not jump and they have a soft shell body which squishes fairly easily. Orkin did bag several to send off to an extension of Texas A&M for identification. I’m still awaiting the news. Here are the two pictures of the "critters". Any help on identification and suggestions on eradication, would be greatly appreciated.
Robert (in West Texas)

Hi Robert,
This is a Mite, but we are not sure what species. This is not the first report we have gotten concerning Computer Loving Mites. We are curious if you get a proper identification from Texas A&M, Please let us know what you find out.

Update from Barry M. OConnor (05/23/2006)
"More computer loving mites" 3/21/06. This is a "clover mite", Bryobia praetiosa. This is one of the spider mites, but Bryobia species don’t make the silk webs most often associated with this group. Bryobia are plant feeding mites that are rather non-specific and often feed on plants growing in lawns or otherwise around homes. This species is unusual in that it overwinters as adults and seeks out warmer places in the fall. They commonly enter houses or other buildings. The spider mites belong to the order Trombidiformes, like Anystis and Balaustium, and many, like Bryobia, are also red in color. The dark material seen in the photo is ingested plant material. These are harmless to people, but will leave a red mark on the wall if you squish them!

Please Identify
Hi
We found a lot of these small white bugs – they are about the size of small specks of salt/pepper in a wicker basket which has been in a dark cupboard. They also seem to move very slowly. We threw away the basket, and were wondering if they will multiply, and if there is anything that we can do to get rid of them. Please could you identify and advise ?
Many thanks
Pali Rao

Hi Pali,
These are Mites of some type, most probably Food Infesting Mites. Certain species can cause problems in humans. They are linked to a malady known as Baker’s Itch.

Update from Barry M. OConnor (05/23/2006)
Mites in the pantry (12/16/05). This is probably a predatory mite in the family Laelapidae. Species of Stratiolaelaps and Cosmolaelaps are not uncommon in the "house dust fauna" and eat the other mites.