Carabid beetle with mites - Poecilus scitulus
Photo by Dani Hatfield

USA: Wyoming, Park County

Yellowstone NP, Gardiner Basin
Ele. 1620m Pitfall Trap

11-23 Aug 2018, E. Oberg

Mitey Helpers

Look closely under the pronotum, or neck-protecting shield. Tiny mites have hitched a ride on this beetle and are looking for more than a quick meal. The relationship between mites and carabids is complex. Carabid beetles are scavengers, known to feed on the remains of dead animals. Carcasses are hotspots for both insect and microbial activity, some of which may pose a threat to beetles. Mites gathered on the beetles may help prevent other dangerous insects (such as fly larvae) and bacteria from attacking the beetles. By acting as predators of the beetles’ external parasites, both mite and beetle benefit. Original public domain image from Flickr