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Harpalus pensylvanicus and Poecilochirus Sp.
Phoretic Mites are not parasites of the beetles but instead use the beetles and other insects as transport from place to place. These mites are found on vertebrate carrion (dead animals) and hitch a ride on passing insects when they come to feed.
Suburban backyard garden.
This beetle had more mites riding on it than I have ever seen. They usually only have a few but this one had a small army riding on its back! Info on the beetle here: http://bugguide.net/node/view/18851
Spotted on Jun 23, 2012
Submitted on Aug 6, 2012
2 Comments
The beetle bus is on the move!
Interesting!