Here is your red things in nature fact of the day. Male red velvet mites create a love garden to attract a mate. It is carefully constructed out of tiny bits of plant material. The male makes a trail away from his little garden and waits patiently for a female. He will woo her with a dance and lead her to the garden. If she likes what she sees, she will impregnate herself on one of his spermatophores. Ahhh romance! These little mites are harmless to humans, but you may see their younger forms hitching a parasitic ride on daddy long legs (aka harvestmen) and other invertebrates. #redweek #red #redvelvetmite #mites #daddylonglegs #harvestmen #natureclub

Posted by Mel Grosvenor at 2021-05-23 12:08:40 UTC