Arthropods Daily – Issue No. 246

The species being described is a large mite found in northern temperate zones. It has a red, velvety body covered in fine hairs. The mite uses its chelicerae and pedipalps for feeding and sensing its environment. Its bright red color serves as a warning to predators about its toxicity. The mite's larvae attach themselves to a host, such as an insect or arachnid, to feed and then develop into free-living nymphs that resemble adults. There is limited knowledge about the toxic substances produced by the mite.