7 replies to this topic

[MrKotter]

I was trying to get a close-up on my Solenopsis invicta queen when I noticed these super tiny white critters moving around.  

 

This is in a clear plastic rectangle formicarium with the tunneling area made of plaster. The "rocks" in the video are actually grains of sand as this is taken very close up using a 25x macro lens on an iPhone. The video is a bit grainy because I had to zoom in extremely close to see the small white mites/aphids/whatever it is crawling around with my ants.

 

I've googled, but just get unrelated content. So far, nothing that helps. Anyone know what these are?

 

Video: https://youtu.be/307CXWUKCRE 

[Mdrogun]

The soil is full of arthropods and other little critters. Usually they just eat debris, mold, or fungi. They've likely always been there, even in some of your artificial setups, and you're just now noticing them. The ones in the video look like some kind of mite to me, but I am no expert at this sort of identification.

[Mercutia]

The look like some sort of mite to me as well. If they're in the soil and not stuck to your ants I wouldn't worry, it doesn't seem like they're being too much of a bother.

[ponerinecat]

detritivore mites, help decompose organic matter.

[MrKotter]

detritivore mites, help decompose organic matter.

Thanks for the ID ponerinecat.  I feel better knowing my formicarium isn't a breeding ground for tiny aliens bent on world domination.

[Hightlyze]

how do you do best answer

[Manitobant]

how do you do best answer

you have to be the person who started the thread and pick the comment.

[Martialis]

Er, shouldn't this be in "Off Topic ID Requests?"