Water Mite

Statistics

Taxonomic suborder: Prostigmata

Length: 2 to 3 mm

Average life span: several months

When To See

All year round, more common in warmer weather.

Photo credit: lifeinfreshwater.org

Habitat

Water mites are found in ponds, lochs, marshes, swamps and slower flowing streams and rivers. Larvae are external parasites on other invertebrates, sucking out bodily fluids for energy. Once the larva is fully grown it turns into a nymph and drops off. When the nymph is ready to turn into an adult it attaches itself to an underwater plant. Adults and nymphs are predators that feed on insect larvae and small crustaceans using retractable piercing mouthparts. When feeding, they hold on to their prey using a pair of finger-like pedipalps.

How To Identify

They look like a tiny red round-bodied spider. They have eight small legs attached near the front of the body. The bright red colouring is a warning to predators that they don’t taste very good.

Seen It?

Been kicking about in your local river and come across one of these invertebrates? Not sure? Share it with us at trust@forthriverstrust.org, we enjoy chatting about inverts with you.