Velvet Mites

Velvet Mites   Family: Trombidiidae Common Name: Velvet mites, true velvet mites, rain bugs, brick mites, and patio mites Appearance: Velvet mites are red-colored insects with red, velvety body covering. They are generally seen crawling on rocks and trees after heavy rain or in humid areas. They exhibit six legs during their larval stage, which turns into eight legs as they turn into adults. Host Plants or Food: Velvet mites feed as ectoparasites in the larval stage on the body fluids of whatever insect they can find. However, as they gradually grow into adults, their prey changes to eggs of other insects. A few common hosts of velvet mites are the grasshoppers, beetles, aphids, and spiders. Territory: Throughout North America, Western USA, Eastern USA, Australia, Europe, Asia, Gulf States Mode of Damage:  They are considered beneficial garden insects since they feed on other pests and their eggs which helps keep their population in control. Habits and Life History: Velvet mites are found clinging onto the lower body of arachnids like spiders, aphids, and ticks. They are also seen in large numbers in leaf litter and organic matter. They prefer sandy areas and emerge after heavy rain showers. The male and female mites exhibit a mating dance during which the sperm is deposited on the leaf during mating. The female tracks it down and sits on it. According to an estimate, female mites can lay as many as 100,000 eggs after mating. After the larvae hatch, they feed as an ectoparasite on other insects until it becomes an adult. They only have one generation per year.