Macro Please Identify bugs

Please Identify bugs · 05:05 PM

I was outside on my deck and noticed all these tiny bugs less than a cm in size. When I went near them or blew on them, they all jumped away. It had recently rained.

I hope I do not have a termite problem on my deck, please identify!

This was my first attempt of taking real pictures with my extension tubes. Apparently it gives a bit of mirror-like bokeh with my F-50/1.7. Boy is it hard to see when stopped down to f/11+ with tubes. Next time I have an eyecup that blocks out all outside light and it should work better. Used diffused flash.

C&C welcome, but my main goal in these was documentary, only very quick edits have been done. If you know a good place to post these for identification, let me know!

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Peter Zack · 11-26-2009, 06:53 PM

Oh my god! Get out of the house! Get out of the neighbourhood. You've got....

I have no clue.

**Ash** · 11-26-2009, 07:03 PM

You certainly followed the little fellas around for a bit...
Also don't know, but quite an intriguing insect.

**Iris** · 11-27-2009, 08:53 AM

I am a field biologist, but my specialty is plants so I do not know much about insects

And you are on the other side of the world, but I will give it a try...
It's definitely not a termite (termites look like ants).
It looks like a spider but those have 8 legs. Closely related to spiders, but usually smaller, are mites (Acarina). Full-grown adults also have 8 legs, but juvenile only have 6.

**Heinrich Lohmann** · 11-27-2009, 02:18 PM

Good job on the macros, as for ID the closest that I can come is that it is some sort of a Velvet Mite. 3 to 4 mm in size but it will take an expert to make a positive ID. Interesting critter to look at though.

mole · 11-28-2009, 03:18 PM

You said they were jumping, which doesn't sound like mites. They look a lot like springtails to me - probably some species of globular springtail. Take a look at this link:
Globular Springtails - Symphypleona Photo Gallery by Tom Murray at pbase.com

Harmless but fascinating tiny insects...

PS - forgot to add - nice photos of them!

penolta · 11-28-2009, 03:42 PM

Originally posted by mole

You said they were jumping, which doesn't sound like mites. They look a lot like springtails to me - probably some species of globular springtail. Take a look at this link:
Globular Springtails - Symphypleona Photo Gallery by Tom Murray at pbase.com

Harmless but fascinating tiny insects...

PS - forgot to add - nice photos of them!

Hairy little beasts. Looks like you got them nailed dead to rights - not something you see every day.

Great photos, too!

Igilligan · 11-28-2009, 03:53 PM

I think springtails/Collembola too... Great series by the way. Nice macro work.

Here is a natural history page that has a pdf link if you want to know more.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.nhm.ac.uk/resources-rx/ima...%3D20%26um%3D1

I have never seen them that coloration, (usually I have seen darker ones) so I could be wrong... but maybe they can mimic the color of their environment which would explain the colors.

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11-26-2009, 06:53 PM	#2
Peter Zack Pentaxian Moderator Emeritus Join Date: May 2007 Location: Edmonton Alberta, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 10,643	Oh my god! Get out of the house! Get out of the neighbourhood. You've got.... I have no clue. Last edited by Peter Zack; 11-26-2009 at 06:59 PM.

11-28-2009, 03:18 PM	#6
mole Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Tennessee Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,432	You said they were jumping, which doesn't sound like mites. They look a lot like springtails to me - probably some species of globular springtail. Take a look at this link: Globular Springtails - Symphypleona Photo Gallery by Tom Murray at pbase.com Harmless but fascinating tiny insects... PS - forgot to add - nice photos of them! Last edited by mole; 11-28-2009 at 03:18 PM. Reason: (add ps)

11-28-2009, 03:53 PM	#8
Igilligan Guest	I am with Mole I think springtails/Collembola too... Great series by the way. Nice macro work. Here is a natural history page that has a pdf link if you want to know more. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.nhm.ac.uk/resources-rx/ima...%3D20%26um%3D1 I have never seen them that coloration, (usually I have seen darker ones) so I could be wrong... but maybe they can mimic the color of their environment which would explain the colors. Last edited by Igilligan; 11-28-2009 at 04:03 PM.

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11-26-2009, 07:03 PM	#3
Ash Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toowoomba, Queensland Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 23,920	You certainly followed the little fellas around for a bit... Also don't know, but quite an intriguing insect.

11-27-2009, 08:53 AM	#4
Iris Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bennekom, The Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,369	I am a field biologist, but my specialty is plants so I do not know much about insects And you are on the other side of the world, but I will give it a try... It's definitely not a termite (termites look like ants). It looks like a spider but those have 8 legs. Closely related to spiders, but usually smaller, are mites (Acarina). Full-grown adults also have 8 legs, but juvenile only have 6.

11-27-2009, 02:18 PM	#5
Heinrich Lohmann Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Airdrie, Alberta Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 8,097	Good job on the macros, as for ID the closest that I can come is that it is some sort of a Velvet Mite. 3 to 4 mm in size but it will take an expert to make a positive ID. Interesting critter to look at though.

11-28-2009, 03:42 PM	#7
penolta Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: California Photos: Gallery Posts: 60	Originally posted by mole You said they were jumping, which doesn't sound like mites. They look a lot like springtails to me - probably some species of globular springtail. Take a look at this link: Globular Springtails - Symphypleona Photo Gallery by Tom Murray at pbase.com Harmless but fascinating tiny insects... PS - forgot to add - nice photos of them! Hairy little beasts. Looks like you got them nailed dead to rights - not something you see every day. Great photos, too!