Spectacle mite
| Spectacle mite | ||||||||||||
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Eylais extendens | ||||||||||||
| ( Müller , 1776) |
The eyeglass mite ( Eylais extendens ) is a representative of the freshwater mite (Hygrobatoidea). It is one of the most noticeable water mites in Central Europe .
The eyeglass mite, like the sac mite ( Limnochares aquatica ), is conspicuously red in color, but not swollen like a sac and is more agile. Its double eyes are connected to each other by a chitin strap , the name- giving feature of the species. The palps have bristles and the mouth disc is circular. The animals are up to three millimeters long. The fourth pair of legs, which is dragged backwards, is striking. This serves as a control while all other legs are used for swimming.
The spectacle mite lives in small ponds that are mostly covered by plants and primarily hunts for water fleas . It is the most common of the 15 native Eylais species.
The larvae of the eyeglass mite parasitize water beetles in particular, but are not very picky about their hosts.
literature
- Heinz Streble , Dieter Krauter : Life in a drop of water. Microflora and microfauna of freshwater. An identification book. 9th, revised and expanded edition. Kosmos, Stuttgart 2002, ISBN 3-440-08431-0 , p. 314.
Web links
- Eylais extendens in Fauna Europaea