maybe lady bird ticks ?

billvialyn · #1 (**permalink**) 28-09-2010, 08:45 PM

Klaas Reißmann · #2 (**permalink**) 28-09-2010, 09:00 PM

These are mites, respectively their larvae. I guess, because Lady-birds are not on carrion or similar things, that these are some mites feeding on the haemolymph of the beetle, but I'm not sure.

Regards
Klaas

Paul mabbott · #3 (**permalink**) 29-09-2010, 07:28 AM

Phoretic mites are commonly found on beetles and other insects: generally they are not feeding on their host but using it to travel around. Therefore they don't, usually, do much serious harm to the host although they can block up the spiracles (and therefore stop the host 'breathing') and the genitalia (stoppibg the host from reproducing).
They are seen more often on ground beetles and, especially, dung beetles.

billvialyn · #4 (**permalink**) 29-09-2010, 01:35 PM

thank you for your reply, very interesting but i dont think the ladybird thought them harmless seemed drained of energy dragging itself round in constant circles. thanks again best wishes lyn

Paul mabbott · #5 (**permalink**) 29-09-2010, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billvialyn

thank you for your reply, very interesting but i dont think the ladybird thought them harmless seemed drained of energy dragging itself round in constant circles. thanks again best wishes lyn

Yes, quite right - it's a gradual, debilitating thing ... I was just making the point that they're not a rapidly fatal predator!