8 replies to this topic

[benxixi]

hi guys, I found some really small bugs living with ants, will they threaten eggs or larva ？I got pictures but they are so small ,don't know it will be clear or not.

does anyone know what they are ? 

 

by attached. 

[Zeiss]

It's very hard to tell what they are from that picture.

 

I assume you're talking about the super tiny brown dots?  If so, I'd guess mites, but I couldn't help beyond that.

[PetsNotPests]

Those are likely grain mites. They are quite common in harvester ant nests (I assume those are P. rugosus in your pic), and do not pose a threat to the ants or their brood. The most they will do is eat a very small amount of the seeds/grain within the ants' nest.  

Edited by PetsNotPests, February 22 2022 - 4:35 PM.

[Manitobant]

Looks more like booklice to me, judging by the shape. They’re also harmless, and exist only to clean up trash in the nest.

[benxixi]

It's very hard to tell what they are from that picture.

 

I assume you're talking about the super tiny brown dots?  If so, I'd guess mites, but I couldn't help beyond that.

I got clear picture as below

[benxixi]

Those are likely grain mites. They are quite common in harvester ant nests (I assume those are P. rugosus in your pic), and do not pose a threat to the ants or their brood. The most they will do is eat a very small amount of the seeds/grain within the ants' nest.  

I got clear picture as below 

[Manitobant]

Definitely booklice. As i said before, they’re harmless, and will clean up trash around the nest.

Edited by Manitobant, February 23 2022 - 10:32 AM.

[ColAnt735]

Definitely booklice. As i said before, they’re harmless, and will clean up trash around the nest.

Agreed.

[benxixi]

Definitely booklice. As i said before, they’re harmless, and will clean up trash around the nest.

yep, thank you so much