Tiny Arthropod

Description:

A minute critter, possible a type of velvet mite. Red singular body with 8 legs, two seem to be used for walking, two from the centre of the body are shorter and of indeterminant use and two at the front which look more like feelers. The body is covered in symmetrical spots and stripes and the legs are white and seem to be encased, with no clear joints visible. The enlarged image shows tiny larvae, which also seem to be fully mobile, but all white, in the same living space. A smaller but similarly coloured mite was also seen in the material.

Habitat:

Accidentally found in a hard fungi like rounded ball on the side of a walking track. My friend and I broke it open to see what the inside looked like and this little critter was exposed. This was in young native bush, amongst saplings younger trees and the host material looked like a fungi which was what we were looking for.

Notes:

Any help identifying this amazing little critter would be welcomed. The photos don't really do it justice and were taken on my android phone in low light. These are beautiful tiny creatures.