The Red Velvet mite wiz rain bug.

Red Velvet Mite @ Nisargshala

 In Marathi we call it मृगाचा किडा. It is widely know as rain bug. मृग means a constellation out of 27 Indian astronomical constellations, in which the entire year is divided in 27 equal parts. One such constellation is Mriga. So the point is the insect that you see the pic attached, is marking the arrival of rains. And its true. It already started raining in the region where Nisargshala is located.

This spider look alike creature, whose entire body is made of silk, velvet like element is known as good omen in Indian culture. Some say that this creature has miraculous medicinal usage and is used in treating infertility in Men. So this mite (kind of creature) is also called as Indian Viagra.

We saw this amazing mite today morning at the campsite. Clicked pics of it and even let it walk on palm also.

Sudhidra Trying his Macro Photography skills to capture Red Velvet Mite

Here is some more information about this beautiful mite.

Red velvet mites do not bite or sting.

Red velvet mites are extremely important to the environment. These mites are part of a community of soil arthropods that is critical in terms of rates of decomposition in woodlands and in maintaining the structure of the entire ecosystem. By feeding on insects that eat fungi and bacteria, they stimulate the decomposition process.

“Red velvet mites are members of the subphylum Chelicerata, a group of critters that have tiny lobster-like claws that serve as mouthparts, a feature that relates them closely to spiders, scorpions, and harvestmen. Red velvet mites make their home in the litter layer of woodlands and forests. They live from one to several years, depending on the species. As larvae, they attach themselves to a variety of arthropods and feed parasitically. They will suck blood from a gnat or grasshopper, for instance, sometimes hitching a ride with several other mites. When red velvet mites become nymphs and then adults, they take to the soil to devour much smaller prey, including other mites and their eggs, the eggs of insects and snails, and primitive wingless insects.

Adult male mites release their sperm on small twigs or stalks. That ritual is followed by the male laying down an intricate silken trail to the sperm. Females spot these trails, then seek out the individual male. If he’s to her liking, she sits in the sperm. But if another male spots one of these sperm gardens, he’ll promptly destroy it and replace it with his own.

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