Velvet Mite, Trombidium holosericeum

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Velvet Mite Trombidium holosericeum Size Approximately 5mm Found in gardens and deciduous woods 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

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Size: 3366px × 5050px
Location: Kalundborg Denmark
Photo credit: © Allan Bergmann Jensen / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No

Keywords: arachnid, holosericeum, insect, mite, parasit, red, trombidium, velvet