Velvet Mite
Scientific Name: Trombidiidae (family)
Order & Family: Order: Trombidiformes; Family: Trombidiidae
Size: 1 to 12 mm (0.04 to 0.47 inches) depending on the species.
Natural Habitat
Soil, leaf litter, and vegetation in gardens, forests, and grasslands.
Diet & Feeding
Adults are predators of small insects and soil-dwelling eggs. Larvae are parasites of other arthropods.
Behavior Patterns
Usually emerge from the soil after rain; they go through a complex life cycle involving a parasitic larval stage and predatory nymph/adult stages.
Risks & Benefits
Generally harmless to humans. They are beneficial to the ecosystem as they help control populations of other pest insects in the soil.
Identified on: 2/9/2026