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08-04-2008, 07:58 PM
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Name that bug
Anyone know what this is? He's about 5mm long plus antennae. I found this one on the soil surface, but I've seen another one on the trunk of the apple tree and one on the patio. What do you reckon? Friend or foe?
Last edited by FoxHillGardener : 08-04-2008 at 08:26 PM. Reason: added second, slightly less out of focus, picture     
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08-04-2008, 08:07 PM
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Interestingly I have them too.
Used to squish them and then decided if I couldn't ID anything I'd leave it be. Needless to say - I've no idea, but I'd like to know if I should be squishing them!! 
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08-04-2008, 08:38 PM
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Thanks for that NSB. I've had a look but red spide mites are tiny; this one is more like lentil size, rather then full-stop size. Maybe it's a giant red spider mite?
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09-04-2008, 11:29 AM
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Not a cochineal beetle.....
The J-Walk Blog: Truth In Food Labels (Comments)
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09-04-2008, 11:45 AM
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Whatever it is, it's clearly embarassed!
__________________
A simple dude trying to grow veg. http://haywayne.blogspot.com/ - UPDATED - 11th June http://www.sloganizer.net/en/style2,HeyWayne.png
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09-04-2008, 12:07 PM
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Oooh nooo--- your right Nicos its not one of those. I have seen loads of these little fat bugs. see them on paths and walls. One of the bugs I clearly remember from my childhood!
I would also love to know what they are please.
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09-04-2008, 06:54 PM
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Aaah, the childhood memories of squashing these things and smearing red 'blood' on walls
 I hink they are velvet mites : picture here...
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09-04-2008, 11:28 PM
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This link says the red velvet mite is less than 1mm in length.
Red Velvet Mite - Meet Your Neighbors - Fall 2004 Mine are much bigger! Velvet mite is bigger(5mm) but doesn't look red enough!! Velvet Mites - Trombidium holosericeum - UK Safari Now I'm even more confused!! Itch...itch.... Last edited by Nicos : 09-04-2008 at 11:34 PM.
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10-04-2008, 08:20 AM
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Apparently they are friends in that they eat all sorts of insects.
Debbie 
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www.johndebs.piczo.com
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10-04-2008, 12:50 PM
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Scary bit here about the larvae feeding on human or animal blood!
Red Velvet Mite - a garden friend I don't remember seeing any recently but do remember them from when I was little, perhaps they were more common then? They are described as a friend though & the adults feed on decaying vegetation etc. Just noticed I think it's the same link as Happymouffe's, still scary though!
__________________
Into every life a little rain must fall. Last edited by SueA : 10-04-2008 at 12:51 PM.
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10-04-2008, 01:55 PM
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Hmm. So either it " feeds on vegetable matter" or "Tiny insects and other mites" depending on where you look. It does look as if it's some sort of trombidium though. I emailed the RHS to ask. Will let you know what they say
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14-04-2008, 01:12 PM
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The word from an entomologist at the RHS - it's a friend
The small red creatures that you found in your garden are commonly known as velvet mites, Allothrombium fuliginosum. This animal overwinters as adult mites in the soil and it is most frequently found at this time of year when it is seen crawling over the soil surface. It is not a harmful mite as the early stages feed as external parasites on certain insects, particularly aphids. The older mite nymphs and the adults feed as predators on aphids. Velvet mites are widely distributed in Britain and may have some effect in reducing aphid infestations, although their impact is likely to be much less than that of other aphid predators, such as ladybirds and hoverfly larvae.
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14-04-2008, 01:25 PM
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Every bit helps against aphids! Cool bug to have it would appear.
__________________
A simple dude trying to grow veg. http://haywayne.blogspot.com/ - UPDATED - 11th June http://www.sloganizer.net/en/style2,HeyWayne.png
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