I wonder if any of you could help me figure out what kind of mite this is. It's dark brown, shiny, about 0,5 mm large (the mite appears much darker on the plant body than on the white paper as seen below). It moves fairly quickly. Much more quickly than the false spider mite, though it's no Usain Bolt. Whereas the false spider mite will move around somewhat slowly and reluctantly if prodded, this one will run around seemingly without any particular destination in mind.
Over the past couple of months I've seen it appear on some of my plants. Everything from an adult Ferocactus latispinus to a Lapidaria margaretae. I've never seen more than 5-10 on any plant at any time. I have not been able to tie the little critters to any obvious plant damage, though one mesemb which rotted did have more than usual on it. None of the plants I've seen the mites on have been attacked by spider mites (false or otherwise). The mites appear anywhere on the plant body.
I haven't been able to find anything looking quite like this on Google. I harbour a hope that it is a predatory mite, though it did not seem keen on attacking a false spider mite I graciously presented to one of them.
Do any of you have any idea what this is?
A kind of mite I've never seen before Solved
Forum rules
For the discussion of topics related to the conservation, cultivation, propagation, exhibition & science of cacti & other succulents only.
Please respect all forum members opinions and if you can't make a civil reply, don't reply!
For the discussion of topics related to the conservation, cultivation, propagation, exhibition & science of cacti & other succulents only.
Please respect all forum members opinions and if you can't make a civil reply, don't reply!
- KarlR
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 635
- https://www.behance.net/kuchnie-warszawa
- Joined: 13 Oct 2014
- Branch: None
- Country: Norway
- Location: Kristiansand, Norway
- iann
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 14572
- Joined: 11 Jan 2007
- Branch: MACCLESFIELD & EAST CHESHIRE
- Country: UK
- Role within the BCSS: Member
Re: A kind of mite I've never seen before
Nice photos. I've seen these on a lot of plants over many years, but I don't know what they are.
Cheshire, UK
- KarlR
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 635
- Joined: 13 Oct 2014
- Branch: None
- Country: Norway
- Location: Kristiansand, Norway
Re: A kind of mite I've never seen before
Cheers. Have you ever associated them with any plant damage? I've grown cacti for about 25 years and never seen them before.iann wrote:Nice photos. I've seen these on a lot of plants over many years, but I don't know what they are.
- Apicra
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 1409
- Joined: 11 Jan 2007
- Branch: HARROW
- Country: UK
- Role within the BCSS: Branch Chair
- Location: London, UK
- Contact:
Re: A kind of mite I've never seen before
If it moves around at a reasonable speed, it is probably predatory. Looks like a tiny beetle to me, although I have no idea what it is.
Best wishes,
Derek Tribble
Best wishes,
Derek Tribble
- KarlR
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 635
- Joined: 13 Oct 2014
- Branch: None
- Country: Norway
- Location: Kristiansand, Norway
Re: A kind of mite I've never seen before
Yes, it's no slouch, so I'm thinking that might indicate a predatory life style. I thought about beetles too, and it does sort of look like a predatory ladybug called Stethorus punctum picipes (aka spider mite destroyer). That ladybug is black though, and two or three times larger. Beetles also have six legs, whereas this guy has eight as far as I can make out on the photos (unless it's got two very large antennas, I suppose).Apicra wrote:If it moves around at a reasonable speed, it is probably predatory. Looks like a tiny beetle to me, although I have no idea what it is.
Best wishes,
Derek Tribble
- Chris L
- BCSS Branch Websites Co-ordinator
- Posts: 2620
- Joined: 11 Oct 2009
- Branch: MANCHESTER
- Country: England
- Role within the BCSS: Branch Websites Co-ordinator
- Location: Lancashire, England
- Contact:
Re: A kind of mite I've never seen before
Is it a velvet mite? You usually see them on walls when it is hot. They are usually the lighter of the two red colours
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=153163&hilit=Velvet+mite
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=153163&hilit=Velvet+mite
Joined 1991
Lamb's Reference Plate Index http://www.cactus-corner.co.uk/referenc ... -guide.htm
FREE on Kindle Unlimited:
Anglesey Circular Walk https://amzn.to/34i18qF
Lytham-Arnside Walk https://amzn.to/3fpQPGf
My Redbubble Shop https://www.redbubble.com/people/cactuschris/shop
Lamb's Reference Plate Index http://www.cactus-corner.co.uk/referenc ... -guide.htm
FREE on Kindle Unlimited:
Anglesey Circular Walk https://amzn.to/34i18qF
Lytham-Arnside Walk https://amzn.to/3fpQPGf
My Redbubble Shop https://www.redbubble.com/people/cactuschris/shop
- Ali Baba
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 2298
- Joined: 26 Dec 2007
- Branch: DOVER
- Country: UK
- Role within the BCSS: Member
Re: A kind of mite I've never seen before Solved
Its a type of mite that eats decaying plant matter , and is sometimes called a beetle mite, Oribatida. They don't harm plants at all.
- iann
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 14572
- Joined: 11 Jan 2007
- Branch: MACCLESFIELD & EAST CHESHIRE
- Country: UK
- Role within the BCSS: Member
Re: A kind of mite I've never seen before
Images of Oribata mites certainly look like the critters I've seen.
Cheshire, UK
- KarlR
- BCSS Member
- Posts: 635
- Joined: 13 Oct 2014
- Branch: None
- Country: Norway
- Location: Kristiansand, Norway
Re: A kind of mite I've never seen before
That certainly looks very much like the mites I have. Feeding on decaying plant matter seems to fit the bill too since I haven't spotted any insects or other mites on the plants I've seen them run around on.Ali Baba wrote:Its a type of mite that eats decaying plant matter , and is sometimes called a beetle mite, Oribatida. They don't harm plants at all.
I'll call that settled then
Cheers to everyone who chipped in
Re: A kind of mite I've never seen before
I have them in all my mesemb pots even though there is very little organic matter. Interestingly, they are completely resistant to miticides, as I learned when I sprayed for other mites. Nothing kills them.