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Hi

I took this image today, 25th August 2006, in Silgueiros - Viseu - PORTUGAL. I put a pitfall that caught some very interesting insects and spiders.

Spiders belongs to the Gnaphosidae family. (all 4)

1 - Thrips sp. ???
2 - Wasp --- which family? it is wingless
3 - acari ??
4 - Collembolans

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"1 - Thrips sp. ???
2 - Wasp --- which family? it is wingless"

1 - Staphylinidae (Coleoptera)
2 - Mutillidae (Hymenoptera):)

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And I agree with 3 and 4. ;)

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Number one..................Staphylinidae B)!

Half Elytron!!!!!!!

Calamity Camille:D

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4" not 1"= thrips!


3= mite in english (acarien)

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Yes, it is mite. Sure.

But the 4 I think I have almost 99% sure that is collembolan. It is very different from Thrips sp.

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I think Jorge is right about 4 not being Thrips but Collembola.

Jan Willem

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On this photograph, number 4 has parts of different density on the body, the collemboles are more uniform in their structure............... but here it is very small, I am not sure! ?
?Strong dish for collemboles! ?

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the collembolan are very similar to this: http://www.geocities.com/fransjanssens/images/hopkin/2002/neanorum.jpg


I saw it with a small loupe... :)

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You see, not zone of shade on all the body! ?

?At the thrips, one sees the wings lying on the back! ?
?on your photograph, one sees zones of shade! ?

?But as long as I would not have a specimen seen under the magnifying glass........! ?:D

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Oh... I see. The right one.. has a black spot... it's dust! :))
The fine pelicule of water is not so clean... :(

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My guesses would be
1. Rove beetle
3. Weevil
4.wasp ?
Brian V.

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Hi Brian

4 never could be a wasp, 100% sure. I know this photo is not great. But I'm sure about this. This is indeed a collembolan.
3- seems more like a mite. Really I?m not sure about 3., indeed.

Thanks!

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Hi Jorge,

3 is Acari, no doubt!

Jan Willem

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As a complete coincidence think I shot the same type of mite this morning (3) under 4:1
Brian V.

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wow!!! This is incredible! Fantastic "Micro" world!!! Acari with two red spots... and a very tiny insect.

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Brian - I think this has got to be the best shot of a predatory mite in action I have ever seen. I raise my pooter to you! B)

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What about its victim, is it a psocopteran?

Jan Willem

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Thanks Tony- I didn't realise these were predatory- thought it was just an opportunist, I have a few mmore shots of it as well :). Jan yes think it is a bark louse it's eating.
Brian V.

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Yes, the Bdellidae are important mite predators. One species has been used in Tasmania for control of the "Lucerne Flea" - a destructive collembollan. Your photo shows the silk threads with which these mites tie down their prey before feeding.
An astonishing photo, reminiscent of some of the early screenshots from "Half-life" - (you may need to ask a gaming geek for an explanation - show them the image, and they'll know what I mean!) ;)

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Thanks Tony for the futher info- used to play Half-Life so know what you mean. Mind you many of the shots I take remind me of film monsters etc :)
Question- I've been told the red spots on the side are not it's eyes and that they are above the antennae. If true what are the red spots ?
Rganks again
Brian V.

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I think your informant may be a little confused. Mites don't have antennae. The red spots are eyes.

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Thanks Tony :) But if the two feelers on the front are not antennae what are they ?
Brian V.

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I think that those "feelers" are the palps.. ;)
They look like tiny short legs, and are used for sensing things and grabbing prey.

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If you see care between the palps of mite you can see chelicerae that are the mouthparts.

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Jorge is right - they are palps - well developed in the Bdellidae and characteristically bent with long terminal bristles. The chelicerae are the eating implements - sometimes having crab-like claws, sometimes with piercing stylets. All fascinating stuff. If it weren't for flies, I think I'd spend my time with mites! :)