Parasites?
Parasites?
Came across this Meadow Brown today...only got one decent shot before it scarpered. What is the general consensus of opinion on the red growths...parasites?
Martin.
Martin.
- Pete Eeles
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This site does not seem a safe place for butterflies.
Cheers all,
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- Pete Eeles
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They're mites - not spiders! Although they are arachnids! See:
http://www.pbase.com/wildhareuk/image/79873069
for a lovely photo
Cheers,
- Pete
http://www.pbase.com/wildhareuk/image/79873069
for a lovely photo
Cheers,
- Pete
But I see no legs
I'm getting conflicting opinions here...
http://phocus-on.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=3150
Martin.
I'm getting conflicting opinions here...
http://phocus-on.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=3150
Martin.
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Get loads of them where I am. They have to hatch from something right? Thats why you don't see legs. if they were hatched, the butterfly would not have ad long I think.
Cheers all,
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I believe that you don't see legs because a) the mite is 0.5mm long and b) it's holding on! The eggs are laid on bark and plant debris, as far as I know, and the larvae that emerge eat healthy plants - which is why they're a pest in orchards and the horticultural trade.Dave McCormick wrote:They have to hatch from something right? Thats why you don't see legs.
Dave McCormick wrote:if they were hatched, the butterfly would not have ad long I think.
I think they're just hitching a ride
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Well, that could be true. Seen that with a bumble bee before.
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Lafranchis 1 (his original book on the butterflies of France, Belgium and Luxemburg, which is definitely worth getting if you read French) says they are 'acariens', a group containing mites and ticks. On page 40 he writes (and I translate):
"Butterflies are host to several parasites. Small, red, spherical mites ('de petits acariens rouges et sphériques') attach themselves to the bodies of adults. Satyrids are sometimes infested with them. These parasites seem to annoy their hosts very little".
Voilà!
Guy
"Butterflies are host to several parasites. Small, red, spherical mites ('de petits acariens rouges et sphériques') attach themselves to the bodies of adults. Satyrids are sometimes infested with them. These parasites seem to annoy their hosts very little".
Voilà!
Guy
- Pete Eeles
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After a little research, I've concluded that the mites are Trombidium breei (can't find a common name, but Red Velvet Mite is in the same family).
Red Spider Mite is Tetranychus urticae.
For some reason, everyone (I talk to anyway!) seems to think they're Red Spider Mite - when they're not!!!
Cheers,
- Pete
Red Spider Mite is Tetranychus urticae.
For some reason, everyone (I talk to anyway!) seems to think they're Red Spider Mite - when they're not!!!
Cheers,
- Pete
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Here is a red spider mite and this was very tiny, so I did not belive it was one:
I took this on a window and you could not see it on the window it was so tiny, unless you looked very close. So its not them.
I took this on a window and you could not see it on the window it was so tiny, unless you looked very close. So its not them.
Cheers all,
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not harmful is the conclusion...
http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Bu ... 0Facts.htm
http://www.learnaboutbutterflies.com/Bu ... 0Facts.htm