Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Who's the predator?
Posted by lagura on 04-01-2009 23:39
#1
These photos were taken 11 July 2008 and the "event" took place on a wooden railing surrounding a pond.
The prey seems to be a Chironomidae (ID happily accepted :D) but who's the lady in red here? She (I'm assuming it's a female) was only about 1,5mm.
My first thought was that it could be a
Trombidium sp. but it doesn't quite look like one. Any ideas?
Thanks!
Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 05-01-2009 02:03
#2
what??? Acarina. :| and Chironomidae.
Posted by Rui Andrade on 05-01-2009 02:08
#3
Hi,
I think the mite, in this case, is a scavenger rather than a predator:).
Posted by lagura on 05-01-2009 13:09
#4
Jorge: Thanks.
Rui: Yes, I think so too. There were quite of these mites running around the railing that day.
Posted by Martin Suvak on 06-01-2009 21:17
#5
The mite is Anystis sp., I guess. It looks like the best known species of this genus - Anystis baccarum (but there are also other very similar species). It is a predatory mite usually feeding on other mites, aphids, springtails etc. This chironomid looks too big to be its prey but everything is possible ;).
Posted by lagura on 07-01-2009 02:27
#6
Thank you very much Martin :)