Orobatida

A cluster of moss mites (Orobatida) foragers across a log in an African forest. Kibale forest, Uganda

Dinothrombium

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

Erythraeidae

A long-legged Erythraeid mite. Huachuca mountains, Arizona, USA.

Erythraeidae

A long-legged velvet mite forages on a daylily. Gatlinburg, Tennessee, USA.

Erythraeidae

Victoria, Australia

Mites on Digitonthophagus gazella dung beetle

Many species of mites have overcome the hurdles of flightlessness by hitchhiking on larger, winged animals. This dung beetle is carrying at least two species. Dripping Springs, Texas, USA.

Varroa destructor

A Varroa destructor mite walks across a bee pupa. These mites are among the most damaging pests of domesticated honey bees. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Varroa destructor

Varroa destructor mites are among the most damaging pests of the domestic honey bee Apis mellifera. The mites feed on the haemolymph of developing and adult bees, damaging or even killing thm, and they can transmit diseases as well. If left unchecked, a mite infestation can destroy a hive. Urbana, Illinois, USA

Varroa destructor

Urbana, Illinois, USA

Varroa destructor

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

Mite

A small mite hangs from a spine on the leg of a harvestman. Mindo, Pichincha, Ecuador.

Ixodes

Ixodes is a genus of hard ticks, many of which are important vectors of disease. Austin, Texas, USA.

Dermacentor variabilis

The American dog tick. Archbold Biological Station, Florida, USA

Dermacentor variabilis

American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) questing. Laboratory animal at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Dermacentor variabilis

American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) questing. Laboratory animal at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Amblyomma americanum

The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is instantly recognizable by the central white marking. Laboratory animal at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Amblyomma americanum

Close-up photograph of a lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum). Laboratory animal at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Amblyomma americanum

The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) is instantly recognizable by the central white marking. Laboratory animal at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Dermacentor variabilis

American dog tick Dermacentor variabilis Laboratory animal at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Dermacentor variabilis

American dog tick Dermacentor variabilis (male) Laboratory animal at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Pseudoscorpion

Barely visible to the eye, a tiny pseudoscorpion lurks under a rock in the west Texas desert. Comstock, Texas, USA.

Limulus Horseshoe Crabs

Although it may seem surprising, horseshoe crabs are a kind of arachnid. Here, photographers shoot a high-tide mating aggregation in Delaware.

Belicenochrus pentalatus

Short-tailed whipscorpion. Armenia, Cayo District, Belize.

Belicenochrus pentalatus

This rare arachnid was found in a rotting log. Armenia, Cayo District, Belize.