True Velvet Mite ♂

Description:

Velvet mites, with their eight legs, are not insects, but rather more closely related to spiders and ticks. Velvet mites don't necessarily live easy existences simply rambling about looking for insect eggs. The adults cannibalize each other and are occasionally parasitized by larvae of other velvet mites. One species, the Red Velvet Mite, has long been used for the treatment of male infertility in traditional Eastern medicine. In the West, "chemical prospectors" grind them up, looking for interesting chemicals. "The larvae ("babies") are ecto-parasites on a variety of arthropods such as spiders, flies, harvestmen, etc., depending on the species. Whereas the adults, as shown here, are opportunistic predators/scavengers on a variety of invertebrates." - Ray Fisher

Notes:

Saw this tiny mite at a patch of mossy forest with fellow PN member Linda Alisto. Interesting and comic article about velvet mites from L. Alisto: http://theoatmeal.com/comics/red_velvet_...