Trombidium holosericeum

[macro junkie]

info from uk safari

it must be an adult as it was very big..1st shot is taken at 1:1 life size

Latin name: Trombidium holosericeum

Size: Approximately 5mms

Distribution: Found throughout the U.K.

Months seen: April to October

Food: Tiny insects and other mites

Habitat: Gardens and deciduous woods

Special features: These arachnids are often seen wandering on bare soil or through grass. They are bright red and covered in tiny hairs which gives them a velvet appearance - hence the name.

Like other mites, they have no antennae. The front pair of legs are used as feelers to check where they're going.

The larvae are parasitic. After hatching from eggs laid in the soil, they latch themselves onto passing spiders or insects and suck their blood. They do not injure their hosts, and after a while drop off. They then burrow into the soil, moult and emerge as adults.

[Bruce Williams]

Interesting (and unusual) face on close-up mj.

I find these little blighters with their all-over bright red colour quite difficult to photograph and yours is one of the best pics I've seen at this magnification.

Bruce

[macro junkie]

Originally Posted by Bruce Williams

Interesting (and unusual) face on close-up mj.

I find these little blighters with their all-over bright red colour quite difficult to photograph and yours is one of the best pics I've seen at this magnification.

Bruce

i find them hard to shoot also.the last pic took about 40 shots to get that single shot with both its eyes showing.

[Toby]

Originally Posted by macro junkie

i find them hard to shoot also.the last pic took about 40 shots to get that single shot with both its eyes showing.

Strange i've never seen these particular mites given I spend time every day hunting for mini beasts.
I do see this species occasionaly - any idea what it is?

[macro junkie]

Originally Posted by Toby

Strange i've never seen these particular mites given I spend time every day hunting for mini beasts.
I do see this species occasionaly - any idea what it is?

not sure..i also have them in my garden...the one u posted id say is 1/8 the size of the one i shot

[Pudding4brains]

Amazing shots - both Macro Junkie and Toby

Can't help with the IDs though - too many of these around and good info is hard to find on the net (except for some ancient/outdated books by the Koch Family dating around 1830-1880?).

[Sundew]

Thanks for this ID folks. I have just fund one on bare ground in the garden.
Sundew