Kettle mite
| Kettle mite | ||||||||||||
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Globe mite ( Hydrachna globosa ) |
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| Systematics | ||||||||||||
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| Scientific name | ||||||||||||
| Hydrachna globosa | ||||||||||||
| ( De Geer , 1778) |
The spheroid mite ( Hydrachna globosa ) is a representative of the freshwater mite (Hydrachnellae). It is one of the most noticeable water mites in Central Europe.
The spherical mite, like the sac mite ( Limnochares aquatica ), is conspicuously red in color, but not swollen like a sac and is more agile. Their body is spherical, the eponymous characteristic of the species, and covered all around with fine chitin thorns (15 to 20 micrometers). Directly behind the eyes are two chitin surfaces in the shape of Africa or South America. The animals have a relatively long trunk, the palps are quite small. In relation to the body size, the legs are short, the first pair of legs has no bristles.
The spheroid mite lives in stagnant water and primarily hunts for water fleas . It is the most common of the 20 native Hydrachna species.
The larvae of the spheroid mite parasitize various aquatic insects.
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.