Eagle-eyed readers will have already spotted the Phoretic mites on the elytra (and one at the back of the head):
The mites are not parasitic on the beetle, but are carnivorous, eating fly larvae that could be a threat to the beetle larvae. They use the beetle as transport, so we have a good symbiotic relationship, here.
I also coincidentally photographed this Harvestman with phoretic mites on the same day:
6 comments:
Uuuuggggghhhh!!
Harvestman- aaarrghhhh!!!!!!
"as I was photographing moths at light" did you mean "at night"? Or "at the light?" - fantastic shot. I think it's fascinating that apart from the one on the head the mites have carefully arranged themselves on the coloured patches on the elytra even though it's dark.
What does "phoretic" mean?
>did you mean "at night"? Or "at the light?"
Moths which had been attracted to light at night. Flash either way.
Maybe the mites jumped abourd during the daytime, but I had certainly noted their placement.
Phoretic = non-parasitic, but not necessarily beneficial.
"Flash either way." That the built-in camera flash or special kit? You've managed to avoid that harsh "flashy" look - tissue over the flash?
Stuart, perhaps a blog entry about your kit and methodology? I'd definitely read it.
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