For the identification of insects and other fauna and flora of South Africa.

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Red Velvet Mite

Mites and ticks both belong to the Acari order and easily recognised by the lack of body divisions. Mites fall under the Trombidiidae family. Like spiders, they are not classified as Insects.
 They have 4 pairs of legs and no antennae,


These are small to very small critters, this one being about 3-4mm in length.

Red Velvet Mites are widely distributed throughout most of the world.