Community identification
Clover Mite
Bryobia praetiosa
- Order & Family
- Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae
- Size
- 0.75 mm to 0.85 mm long (smaller than a pinhead)
Natural Habitat
Grassy lawns, clover patches, and around building foundations, often entering homes in large numbers.
Diet & Feeding
Herbivorous, feeding primarily on the sap of over 200 species of plants, especially clover, ivy, and lawn grasses.
Behavior Patterns
Active during spring and autumn; they are not insects but arachnids. They are known for leaving a red stain when crushed, which is their natural body pigment (not blood).
Risks & Benefits
Harmless to humans and pets, as they do not bite or transmit disease. They are primarily a nuisance pest due to their ability to stain curtains, carpets, and clothes when crushed.