3 replies to this topic

[FelixTheAnter]

Was looking into my Pheidole Pallidula colony when I saw these mites. Are they detrivorous mites? Or are they a type that feed on ants? Would introducing predatory mites be enough to get rid of them? And will predatory mites eat ant brood?

I thought ant mites were much smaller, but then again, Pheidole are already really tiny.

[ANTdrew]

They look like trash mites to me.

[FelixTheAnter]

Thank god. Parasitic beetles is enough for this colony to deal with, we don't need parasitic mites too.

They do seem to be purposely climbing onto the ants, but maybe the ants smell like all the dead bugs they've been eating?

I just realized I do have mites in my fruit fly cultures, and although they get frozen beforehand, I guess eggs could've survived and gotten hauled into the nest that way.

[ANTdrew]

Mite eggs survive freezing. Pre-boil all feeder insects to prevent trash mite infestations.