13 replies to this topic

[Connectimyrmex]

Hi!

While snooping around in the backyard tetramorium colonies, I've noticed small, reddish-brown mites running in the tunnels with the ants. I'm pretty sure that these are some sort of myrmecophile scavenger. I've recently considered catching one or two of these to live with my T. sp e colony, which produces lots of waste. Would it be safe for the ants?

[ultraex2]

Just a guess since no pictures, but I'd bet that those are actually ant crickets.  They live in/around colonies of ants and eat scraps.

[AntsMaryland]

I agree, they are proably mite crickets. Send us a picture for us to make sure. If they are feel free to. I also heard book lice work well as well.

[Connectimyrmex]

Ant crickets are larger than the ant mites (I've seen plenty of myrmecophila crickets). Trust me, these are actually mites. I know from experience that myrmecophila crickets have large, noticeable antennae.

[AntsMaryland]

Than it's proably a spider-mite

And please send us pictures. That would make our lives SO MUCH easier!

[MegaMyrmex]

If they hop like crazy and look like brownish grains of sand with big black legs- crickets
If they look like tiny droplets of hemolymph or amber or resemble minutebticks and seem to attaxh themselves to the ant's joint- trouble.

[Connectimyrmex]

There's three ant mites: the ones that latch onto the ants and suck their blood, the ones that climb onto ants and ride them around, and the ones that eat ants' scraps.

[AntsMaryland]

Technically ants do not have blood. They don't have hemoglobins or veins. Their "blood" is actually called hemolymph. Only around 10% is "blood and the rest is plasma. The mites suck more plasma of the ant than anything else. I put this because I feel like that should be clarified.

[Connectimyrmex]

I know. I was just making a vampire reference

Edited by Connectimyrmex, August 24 2017 - 11:37 AM.

[AntsMaryland]

ok

[ctantkeeper]

They may be springtails, since their is a species of brown, myrmecophylic spingtail that lives with them in their nests and feeds upon their garbage / waste.

[WeatherAnt]

I know what you're referring to! They are definitely mites. Absolutely for sure. They're dark red and shiny and I've only ever noticed them casually walking around with the ants. Interestingly, I notice that they travel with the ants when two colonies go to war with one another. I think they're travelling to a new nest for reasons (like new food source, mates, etc).

[AntsMaryland]

it's impossible for us to identify them if you don't send us pictures.

[Connectimyrmex]

They may be springtails, since their is a species of brown, myrmecophylic spingtail that lives with them in their nests and feeds upon their garbage / waste.

I've seen the springtails, they look quite different than the mites. One of them lives in my Tetramorium colony

 

I know what you're referring to! They are definitely mites. Absolutely for sure. They're dark red and shiny and I've only ever noticed them casually walking around with the ants. Interestingly, I notice that they travel with the ants when two colonies go to war with one another. I think they're travelling to a new nest for reasons (like new food source, mates, etc).

That's what they are!

Also, AntsMaryland, my macro lens is still not here yet. PLEASE be patient.