x3 images. Double click to enlarge fully.
A close relation to the spiders and harvestmen, this mite is one of the Anystis sp. – known as the whirlygig mites. One of the slightly larger mites I have come across, it moves very rapidly across surfaces, hunting invertebrate prey. Notice how far back the eyes are.
Nature Journeys 
What an incredible photo Pete! It’s colour almost makes it look edible!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Steve 🙂 One I would not like to try to swallow, though.
LikeLike
Great shots! Thank you for making this visible. I could think of a doll out of cloth here 🙂 Cute.
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 Thank you 🙂 This is what I really like about macro photography. I could never see the details without getting up really close. These were virtually full frame, and cropped just to balance the images.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve not encountered mites although I know they are related to the chiggers that plague so many to our south. I have seen spider mites which are a different creature I think. You did a nice job capturing these fast movers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Steve. Spider mites are the same, just a different way of describing them. Some would call these red spider mites, because of their colouring.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Then I have seen mites. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂
LikeLike
There was a breezeblock wall infested with these tiny red spiders I recall when I was almost as small, I never knew what they were called, what an excellent name! Great pic Pete.
– Esme covered in tiny red spiders waving upon the Cloud
LikeLiked by 1 person
Many thanks, Esme 🙂 They may have been Balaustium mites, which really like running along walls, particularly on hot sunny days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ahhh, yes, I think you’re right, in a police line up I’d go with the latter. The Usual Red Mite Suspects. Hahahaha.
– Esme not thinking all red mites look the same honest guv
LikeLiked by 1 person
You always have a way of making me laugh, Esme! 🙂 Thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This clearly shows the same behavior as some water beetles here that are called whirligig beetles. They move in fast, erratic spurts across the surface of the water, and it sounds as if your mite does the same: except on land.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, you are right, Linda. When I first spotted it it just did that.
LikeLike
These are very cool photos!! And I love his color!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you very much, Lisa 🙂 The colour of this little mite really does make it stand out.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Could be a cartoon character. 😉 Nice shots, Pete!
LikeLiked by 1 person
🙂 Thank you, Eliza 🙂
LikeLike
Excellent images! With eyes like those he can’t miss too much 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you, Belinda 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person