#Dinothrombium sp.

[terranlifeform]

Giant red velvet mite (Dinothrombium sp.) in Ghana

Charles Sharp

[psikonauti]

Giant Red Velvet Mite (Dinothrombium sp) by Charles Sharp

[cedar-glade]

Arachnids on the prowl! During spring as the ground water percolates up and dormancy starts to break, the forest floors’ microbiota starts letting the food foundation become a solidified part of the ecosystem once more. With this upwelling and microbiome alive and well many arthropods become more active. As the soil becomes more saturated with snow melt and spring rains and nutrient cycles churn we can see these little fuzzy dudes appearing.

    This is a giant red velvet mite or red rain bug,  Dinothrombium sp.,  which is most likely searching for eggs or termites. It gets  it’s second name from it appearing after heavy rainfalls the first common name is just based on appearance. This species isn’t terrifically known to be found commonly in Ohio; however, I live in southern Ohio so it’s not surprising to find one.