Help ID tiny red insects in pond

Sad1966 · #1 (**permalink**) 28-09-2009, 06:06 PM

This summer I built a natural pond. I found that in late summer there was a large concentration of tiny red midges. When you looked at the surface from different angle you cold see like a red film. There must have been thousands. They looked liked red mites but these were water bourne. Can anyone help to identify what these could have been.

Dogghound · #2 (**permalink**) 28-09-2009, 07:59 PM

Water Mites? they are actual legged creatures and not larvae?

Malcolm Banks · #3 (**permalink**) 28-09-2009, 10:46 PM

Sound like Red water mites (Hydrachna spp.) from the description. I couldn't find one in the WAB Gallery but try the nice little site of Wim van Egmond Microscopy-UK Micscape Microscopy and Microscopes Magazine
for a photo comparison with your critturs.
M

Malcolm Banks · #4 (**permalink**) 28-09-2009, 10:53 PM

Sorry, pressed submit before I had finished

I see them in my pond, quite large (ca 3mm) and great to watch but I don't think I have seen more than 2 in any one view - if yours are red water mite you must have a fair abundance of prey to support such numbers
M