Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Who's the predator?

Posted by lagura on 04-01-2009 22:39
#1
These photos were taken 11 July 2008 and the "event" took place on a wooden railing surrounding a pond.
The prey seems to be a Chironomidae (ID happily accepted Grin) but who's the lady in red here? She (I'm assuming it's a female) was only about 1,5mm.
My first thought was that it could be a Trombidium sp. but it doesn't quite look like one. Any ideas?
Thanks!

Posted by jorgemotalmeida on 05-01-2009 01:03
#2
what??? Acarina. Frown and Chironomidae.

Posted by Rui Andrade on 05-01-2009 01:08
#3
Hi,

I think the mite, in this case, is a scavenger rather than a predatorSmile.

Posted by lagura on 05-01-2009 12:09
#4
Jorge: Thanks.

Rui: Yes, I think so too. There were quite of these mites running around the railing that day.

Posted by Martin Suvak on 06-01-2009 20:17
#5
The mite is Anystis sp., I guess. It looks like the best known species of this genus - Anystis baccarum (but there are also other very similar species). It is a predatory mite usually feeding on other mites, aphids, springtails etc. This chironomid looks too big to be its prey but everything is possible Wink.

Posted by lagura on 07-01-2009 01:27
#6
Thank you very much Martin Smile