Red Velvet Mite
Scientific Name: Trombidium holosericeum
Order & Family: Order: Trombidiformes; Family: Trombidiidae
Size: Large for a mite, typically 1 to 4 millimeters in length.
Natural Habitat
Commonly found in soil, leaf litter, and garden environments; often seen on sidewalks or sunny rocks in spring.
Diet & Feeding
Adults are predators that eat small insects and insect eggs; larvae are parasites on other arthropods.
Behavior Patterns
Notable for their bright red color and soft, velvety texture due to fine hairs; they are most active during the day in spring and early summer.
Risks & Benefits
Generally harmless to humans and do not bite; they provide ecological benefits as natural predators that help control small pest populations in gardens.
Identified on: 3/12/2026