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Velvet Mite


Velvet Mite
Photo Information
Copyright: Catherine Dijon (CatherineD) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 423 W: 15 N: 1836] (6639)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-10-04
Categories: Insects
Camera: Canon EOS 40 D, Canon EF 100 mm F2.8 Macro USM
Exposure: f/5.0, 1/125 seconds
Details: Tripod: Yes (Fill) Flash: Yes
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-10-05 10:42
Viewed: 233
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note [French]
It’s quite strange: my interest for tiny insects came at the same time I begin to need glasses for reading… The macro lens allows me to watch this world now invisible for my eyes… This velvet mite is a perfect example of it!

Trombidium holosericeum (Linnaeus, 1758)
Class: Arachnida
Subclass: Acari
Famille : Trombidiidae

The velvet mite bright red color results from carotenoids, warning predators about the toxicity of the mite (aposematism). Almost nothing is known about the toxic substances used, but they are probably contained within the integument.
This species is one of the largest mites with a body length of about 4 mm. The soft, brightly red body is covered with fine hairs, giving it a velvety appearance. The small eyes are located on stalks. They have scissor-like chelicerae, their pedipalps are used as touch organs.
While adults live freely and are often found wandering about, searching for small animals and insect eggs for food, the larvae try to find a host to attach themselves to, often an insect like a grasshopper or diptere, but also arachnids like harvestmen or spiders. At this stage they are seen as red globules on their hosts, sucking body liquid without severely harming the host. These larvae then develop into free-living nymphs that resemble adults. (Wikipedia)
This mite is an ally of the gardener, because it feeds on larvae and small insects, not on plants. Here, it is on a Wild Carrot (Daucus carota).
nglen, marius-secan, maurydv, jconceicao, jazdzurka, Jamesp, horias, anel, oanaotilia has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To batu: You are rightCatherineD 2 10-06 10:06
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2907 W: 34 N: 8619] (32124)
  • [2009-10-05 11:02]

Hi Catherine. The world of macro lets us see things we could not other wise see. You have been able to take a fine close up of the little red Mite. It looks as if its has a fury back. taken with fine detai land bright colours. well done TFS.
Nick..

Hello Catherine,
Very interesting this velvet mite, superb red colour and very sharp details. Well done!
Marius.

  • Great 
  • batu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1059 W: 290 N: 3944] (13334)
  • [2009-10-05 12:01]
  • [+]

Hello Catherine,
this is a real MACRO! It is not easy to achieve a good picture of these small mites.
I tried several times without convincing result. Your picture shows good details but I think
you also wish to have more depth of field and less noisy background and sharpening artefacts.
Best wishes, Peter

hello Catherine
you have also a little one!
great composition with very good sharpness
good details and beautiful colours
greeting lou

Ciao Catherine,
une superbe photo en macro avec de stupéfiants détails, très bonne netteté et magnifiques couleurs.
Merci et félicitations
Bonne soirée
Amicalement
Maurizio

Hello Catherine,

Excellent macro.
Colours,light and definition are superb.
Good composition.

Hi Catherine
That's an amazing picture.
It is really velvet. You've shown it very well. Very good sharpness for so small animal.
I am really amazed.
Thanks for sharing.
Ania

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1977 W: 6 N: 5525] (19661)
  • [2009-10-05 14:46]

oooooh! Mais c'est la macro du mois! Je connais ces petitsinsects rouges et les voirs si bien c'est pour moi un resultat exceptionel! Mais quelle nettete' et details,parfaites couleur aussi,un travail tres tres professionel.Doubles compliments aujourd'hui ma chere! Bon Mardi,LUCIANO

  • Great 
  • deud Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 440 W: 10 N: 504] (2372)
  • [2009-10-05 15:48]

une tres belle image!
jolies et naturelles couleurs.
bon cadrage.

merci

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1351 W: 0 N: 5494] (16522)
  • [2009-10-05 23:25]

Hello Catherine

A spectacular shot - the lighting and detail are exceptional.

TFS

JAMes

Catherine
What a great capture!
Lovely details great colors, amazing texture to this spider.
Horia

  • Great 
  • anel Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1722 W: 0 N: 3901] (15676)
  • [2009-10-06 7:25]

Bonsoir Catherine,
C'est donc ainsi que se présentent les petits points rouges que l'on voit sur les fleurs. Comme toi, je dois mettre des lunettes pour y voir plus clair..
Macro vraiment intéressante, on dirait du velours rouge! Et la petite bête a bien choisi sa fleur qui offre un beau contraste à sa coloration.
Bien vu!
Bonne soirée
Amitiés
Anne

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