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A cluster of moss mites (Orobatida) foragers across a log in an African forest. Kibale forest, Uganda
Varroa destructor mite
The most serious pest of modern beekeeping is Varroa destructor, an Asian mite that jumped from the eastern hive bee Apis cerana to the western bee Apis mellifera when commercial beekeeping brought the two bee species into contact. The mite causes severe winter losses in heavily infected bee yards. Here, a mite rides on the abdomen of a worker bee.
An adult Varroa destructor mite on a bee pupa. Urbana, Illinois, USA
This Lasius alienus worker hosts an Oplitis mite on her mid-leg. Mites are ubiquitous inhabitants of ant nests, although their biology and relationships to the ants is poorly understood.
Dinothrombium velvet mites are elephants among the acari. These raisin- sized arthropods roam the Sonoran Desert floor after the onset of summer rains. Tucson, Arizona, USA
A predatory velvet mite forages along a mossy log in an eastern deciduous forest. Urbana, Illinois, USA
A column of sleek Cerapachys ruficornis. Notice that most of these ants carry small red mites on their bodies. Diamond Creek, Victoria, Australia
Odontomachus coquereli. Notice the tiny mites riding on this ant's mandibles. The mites are apparently able to hold tight even when the jaws of their host slam shut at high speed. Madagascar
An adult Varroa destructor mite on a bee pupa.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
An adult Varroa destructor mite on a bee pupa. Urbana, Illinois, USA
An adult Varroa destructor mite on a bee pupa.

Urbana, Illinois, USA
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all images and text © Alex Wild 2001-2013