Red Velvet Mite (or possibly Clover Mite)
Trombidiidae (Family) used generally, or Bryobia praetiosa for Clover Mites
- Order & Family
- Order: Trombidiformes; Family: Trombidiidae (Red Velvet) or Tetranychidae (Clover Mite)
- Size
- Typically very small, roughly 1 to 4 mm in length (pinhead size).
Natural Habitat
Found in soil, leaf litter, on plants, and often seen crawling on sunny concrete surfaces like sidewalks, patios, and walls during spring and summer.
Diet & Feeding
Red Velvet Mites are predators of other small invertebrates and insect eggs. Clover Mites are phytophagous, feeding on the juices of grasses, clovers, and other plants.
Behavior Patterns
They are active during the day and are often noticed moving relatively quickly across warm surfaces. They emerge in large numbers during spring and early summer. As arachnids, adults have eight legs, though larvae have six.
Risks & Benefits
They are harmless to humans and pets; they do not bite, sting, or transmit diseases. However, they can stain fabric or surfaces red if crushed (due to their body pigmentation). Red Velvet Mites are beneficial predators in the ecosystem, while Clover Mites can be a minor nuisance pest to lawns.