[GPI]

Red Velvet Mite - Red Earth Mite - Trombidium holosericeum
by GPI

Plants affected
No noteworthy effect on plants.

Season(s) present.
April to October

Red Velvet Mite, photo / picture / image.

Appearance of damage.
None

Cause/appearance
Approximately 5mm long these bright red mites with eight legs can be seen wandering on through grass, bare soil, mulch, and the leaf litter layer beneath trees and shrubs.
They are covered in tiny hairs which gives them their velvet appearance.
Like woodlice, Red Velvet Mites dry out easily, so they need a regular supply of dampness hence the leaf litter and mulch living conditions.

Trouble?
Not at all. The Red Velvet Mite poses no noteworthy threat to plants or the gardener.
They just feed on insects and other mites that eat fungi and bacteria in your garden. In fact if you were to remove the Red Velvet Mite from your garden, the decomposition process in the soil would go much slower.

Organic or cultural control.
None needed.

Other Control.
None needed.


Video. A Red Velvet Mite moving across a leaf.
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Nature notes.
Please note that Irishgardeners.com does not advocate the removal of animal or insect life, instead, this forum encourages wildlife preservation. However, there are occasions where a wildlife becomes a problem within the garden for certain people. Be aware that wildlife is a link in the chain of life, benefiting something or someone down the chain. Please at least think about this before you remove wildlife from your site.

Any queries or comments on Red Velvet Mite - Red Earth Mite - Trombidium holosericeum, please post below.

Back to Pests of the Garden in Ireland - Prevention and Control.