Large mite feeding on yellow barkfly

[Bruce Williams]

Stony Stratford, Bucks. On fence beneath willow, ash and sycamore.

See scale bar on second pic to get idea of size.

Help with identification appreciated:



This next pic was taken about 40 minutes earlier on the same fence and may or may not be the same barkfly being eaten by the mite (I'm sure it's the same species).



Bruce

[Jason Green]

Evening Bruce,

It's probably a Trichopsocus sp., but it's too young really. I'd be interested in other shots in a week or so to allow for closer maturity.

A few can appear yellow at this very young age!

Take care,

Jason

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks for your help Jason. I'll keep an eye out as you suggest.

Bruce

[jaguarondi]

I think the mite is Anystis - known also also feed on young aphids, thrips

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks jaguarondi your help is much appreciated. From the images I've since found on the internet I think you're spot-on with Anystis.

Bruce

[Jason Green]

Hi Bruce,

I had edited my post to remove a suggestion of it also being a species of the Valenzuela genus. I was out today and saw a few V. flavidus, and a yellow nymph identical in entire colouration to yours, so it probably is this after all!

You'll probably come across a few yellow ones with shaded wing veins...

[Bruce Williams]

Thanks Jason - I'll keep looking.

Photographed a much larger barkfly with longer wing buds yesterday at the same location - a really fast mover. I'll post a couple of pics tomorrow.

Bruce