Posted by ebbek on 30-07-2023 20:34
#1
Who has put these eggs on the dung beetle Aphodius fossor - maybe somebody knows? Is it a parasite or a hitchhiker?
The dung beetle was in light trap in our garden in SW Sweden last night.
Regards
Krister
Edited by ebbek on 30-07-2023 21:00
Posted by ebbek on 30-07-2023 21:02
#3
I have just got information that they are mites (Urodidae) who are hitchhiking on the dung beetle. Maybe someone knows more?
Krister
Edited by ebbek on 30-07-2023 21:17
Posted by Jan Maca on 31-07-2023 11:58
#4
The name of this taxonomic group of "mites" is Uropodoidea. They have a resting phoretic stadium (deutonymph, here named hypopus) which uses to be connected to the body of insects by a fibrous stalk.