Water mites. Description and photos of water mites "Water mites" in books

Class: Arachnida Lamarck, 1801 = Arachnida
Order: Araneae = Spiders
n/order: Araneomorphae = Araneomorphic spiders
Family: Theridiidae = Web spiders
Genus: Hydrachna = Water mite

Species: Hydrachna cruenta Mull. = Red spider, water mite

Red spider, water mite - Hydrachna cruenta Mull.

Bright red, small, round, like a ball, tick. Quickly moving its eight legs, this tick rushes rapidly through the water and looks like a rolling bright red ball.

Several of these mites, planted in a jar with plants, have very beautiful view and live quite well, feeding on sharp-shooting crustaceans in the water. Neither fish nor large predatory insects should be placed in the aquarium where this mite is placed, otherwise it will quickly become their prey.

The pursuit of such a tick by a thick water bug with a comb is interesting. Rowing with all its strength with its huge paws, the comb rushes after the water mite. But the cunning tick, noticing the approach of the enemy, instantly changes direction, and the bug flying at full speed, not being able to maintain its given swing, flies past. The tick rushes on. The comb is behind him. The tick is a watchman again, the comb misses again. And so on endlessly, until the bug somehow manages to press it against the walls of the jar or attack by accident.

Subsequently, some mites apparently attach themselves again, but this time to an aquatic plant, and undergo a secondary molt, with which they reach sexual maturity.

The water mite, like its other relatives, has no large sizes, it will be difficult to see it with the naked eye. A photo of a water mite for study is taken under a microscope and then enlarged several times. You can recognize an aquatic inhabitant from arachnids by the following characteristics:

the adult size is no more than 3 mm, males do not grow to such sizes, their body length is no more than 2 mm;
the body has a round shape, the very small head is difficult to see even with magnification;
the color of the aquatic inhabitant is usually bright, colors can vary, yellow, orange, and red mites are predominantly found;
like other arthropods, there are four pairs of limbs, the first is modified;
there are one or two pairs of eyes on the head;
adults are almost completely covered with setae.

Water mite excellent swimmer, he managed to achieve this due to his long legs.

Interesting!
Breathing is carried out over the entire surface of the back, oxygen is absorbed from environment. The arachnid can survive even if the ratio of oxygen to other substances is 1 to a million.

Representatives of the genus Limnocharis do not have small bristles on their bodies, and their legs are poorly developed. They only move along the bottom by crawling.

There is a subspecies that lives in salt water. Sea mite practically no different from its freshwater relatives.

Nutrition

plankton;
aquatic invertebrates;
small crustaceans;
seaweed.

Note!
The water mite is not at all dangerous to humans; the arthropod will not even think of attacking such a large warm-blooded individual.

Reproduction

Reproduction occurs sexually. After mating, the female lays eggs on algae, they attach to the chosen victim and go through a difficult process. life cycle of three juvenile stages. Only after making this long journey in an inert state will the larva hatched from the egg become a sexually mature individual. It is impossible to find a separately floating egg or larva of a water mite; only adults can remain in this state.

Habitats

The water mite can be found in almost any body of water, regardless of whether it is fresh or salty. They are common in:

large and small rivers;
salt and freshwater lakes;
mountain streams;
seas and oceans.

Interesting!
Analysis of stagnant water from a forest puddle showed the presence of water mites in small numbers.

With the naked eye, you can detect the location of ticks in the shallows of rivers and ponds in clear weather. If you look closely, you will notice very small, slowly moving brightly colored dots on the sandy bottom; these will be the desired aquatic species arachnids.

Danger to humans and animals

Most types of ticks are dangerous to humans and animals, so it is customary to treat them with caution. However, ticks do not only live on land; some of them are inhabitants of the aquatic environment. Let's figure out how to recognize a water mite and whether it is dangerous for humans.

Types of water mites and their habitats

Sometimes water mites are mistakenly classified as insects, but in fact all of their representatives are arachnids. There are two families of hydracarynes, which include more than 4 thousand species.

On the territory of Russia, biologists count at least 500 species of representatives of hydracarines.

Water mite families:

Hydrachnidae (freshwater);
Halacaridae (live in sea water).

Representatives of the family Hydrachnidae live in fresh water lakes, rivers and ponds. Since they are predators, then greatest number individuals can be found in swampy reservoirs, where there are many small invertebrates. Water mites are primarily free-living predators that prefer small bodies of water filled with zooplankton

Water temperature is not particularly important for water mites. For example, representatives of Hydrachnidae can be seen even in ice water, freed from ice crust.

At all, appearance water mites are quite brightly colored. Hydracarine bodies can be distinguished naked eye, as they range in color from yellow to bright red.

IN sea elements The most common water mites are Atax ypsilophorus. They are distinguished by a large (up to 8–9 mm in length) body and long legs, with the help of which they move in the water.
The water mite Atax ypsilophorus is also called Unionicola

Most often you can see them in coastal zone, where hydracarynes hunt bivalves. With directional lighting, they become not very noticeable in the water, because they have a bluish body.

A representative of this species is an excellent hunter: having noticed the prey, it rushes at it and entwines it with its long legs, on the surface of which there are miniature notches that do not allow the mollusk to escape. For this reason, the behavior of the water mite Atax ypsilophorus is very similar to the strategy of its terrestrial counterparts - spiders.

Body structure of a water mite

Hydracarines, like all arachnids, have four pairs of legs. At the end of each leg there are two claws, which allow the individual to crawl and capture prey, as well as swimming hairs, used for movement in the water.

The body is often round and consists of a cephalothorax and abdomen, which are visually almost fused together. Depending on the species, the water mite has either two or four eyes. Biological scientists believe that the eyes of hydrocarine, protected by durable chitin capsules, see perfectly even in muddy water, which gives predators an advantage.

Chelicerae and pedipalps help ticks absorb and retain food. The palps hold the prey near the mouth, and the claws pierce the chelicerae skin or chitinous shell, after which the water mite sucks out the prey.
The fourth pair of legs in hydrocarina is usually longer than the others, this is due to the fact that during movement they carry out pushing activity

They breathe using the entire surface of the body. The tick absorbs oxygen dissolved in water and survives even at extremely low concentrations (1 part per million).

It is noteworthy that water mites are completely absent circulatory system. Also, their body does not have a hindgut and anus. These organs are replaced by an excretory opening located immediately above the intestines.

Life cycle of hydrocarine

The average lifespan of a water mite is just over a year. Copulation (reproduction) begins in the spring, as in winter time hydrocarines are not very active. In winter, most hydrocarines are in the nymphal (larval) stage of development.
In a favorable environment, water mites are prone to excessive reproduction; due to their accumulations, water in small bodies of water can acquire a reddish-brown hue.

Reproduction strategy different types mites can vary significantly. For example, males of the species Piona nodata can swim for a long time, looking for a female and lowering the claws of the third pair of legs into a special pocket on the abdomen where seminal fluid accumulates. Having noticed a female of its species, the tick quickly swims up to her and transfers the seed into her genital opening.

But males of the Arrhenurus species behave differently. Arrenurus females have significantly larger body sizes, so the males have to use a trick: they attach to the lower part of the abdomen using a sticky secretion, after which mating occurs and the seminal fluid is introduced into the genital opening.

After fertilization, females of some species (Limnochares aquatica, Eylais), mainly living in stagnant water of swamps and small ponds, lay a clutch of eggs on underwater snags, stones or plant roots. The same mites that live in flowing water firmly attach a clutch of eggs to plant stems. Those hydrocarines who live in sea water find coastal stones submerged in water and parts of underwater structures (piles, bridges, etc.) for these purposes.

During the entire cycle, the water mite forms and sheds two molting skins, and also passes through three nymphal (larval) stages.

Harm of water mites and their danger to humans

But water mites are dangerous for small invertebrates. Chitons, water scorpions, water-loving beetles, sea urchins, mussels, mollusks, daphnia, cyclops, bloodworm larvae - they all have to serve as food or host for hydrocarinae.

Video: a tick tries to get out of a test tube with water

The smooth water bug and its relationship to hydrocarines

Unlike hydrocarinae, water bugs can inflict very sensitive bites on humans. They are similar to water mites in their predatory lifestyle, but differ in classification.
The smooth water bug is significantly larger in size than hydrocarine; its body can reach 15 mm

Water mites belong to the arachnids, and smooth bugs belong to insects from the order Hemiptera of the smooth family. They are much more aggressive and dangerous to their neighbors in the pond. Large individuals calmly attack their own young or even fish fry. Their development cycle is also incredibly complex: smoothie bugs go through four nymphal stages, each time significantly increasing in size.

At night, these insects are attracted to bright light, so they often leave aquatic environment habitat, which allows them to make powerful wings.

These water bugs bite very painfully. In children and those who are prone to developing allergic reactions, the bite site may become very red and itch for a long time. Therefore, it is better not to touch this insect with your hands and not to swim in those places where clusters of water bugs are observed. IN evening time A protective spray will help protect yourself from flying smoothies for a day. If the bug does bite and this area of the skin itches and swells, then antihistamines (for example, fenistil) or hormonal (hydrocortisone) ointments will help. Aloe juice is also effective, it relieves itching and redness.

Water mites in an aquarium or pond and how to get rid of them

Fish usually do not consider hydrocarine as food; this can only happen under very limited quantity nutrition. Aquarists even notice that if a fish accidentally swallows a water mite, it spits it out almost immediately.

Ridding your aquarium of pests is not that difficult. The bright color of hydrocarine helps a lot with this. Although they are generally small in size, their red or orange body makes them easy to see with the naked eye.

The main thing in getting rid of water mites is to regularly maintain cleanliness in the aquarium. If you noticed large number hydrocarine, then conventional measures will not be enough and a complete cleaning of the entire tank will be required.

Detailed instructions for ridding your aquarium of water mites:

Remember that the sponge for cleaning the aquarium can only be used once, after which it should be thrown away. Otherwise, water mite eggs may get back inside the tank.

This method of completely changing the soil, water and sterilizing the tank parts is effective for getting rid of water mites in the aquarium. But if hydrocarinas have chosen a decorative pond to live in, then it is necessary to act in a different way. Moreover, ultraviolet sterilizers in this case are ineffective.

Chlorophos is successfully used to destroy water mites in a closed small reservoir.
Chlorophos is an organophosphorus compound that is an insectoacaricidal agent

When working with chlorophos, you must remember the following precautions:

under no circumstances may any processing be carried out decorative pond at air temperatures above 25°;
application of the insecticide should be done on the leeward side;
preparation of the solution and all work with chlorophos must be carried out in a well-ventilated area and when using products personal protection(gloves, mask, glasses);
Persons with diagnosed diseases should not work with insecticides cardiovascular system and hematopoietic organs.

The principle of action of the drug is not only to destroy water mites, but also to eliminate zooplankton, which is the main food of the pest.

Some of the most common zooplankton organisms in fresh waters are daphnia and bosmina, diaptomus and cyclops

Instructions for treating a decorative pond with chlorophos solution:

I heard about water mites not long ago from a friend who became interested in aquarium farming. Before this, I thought that ticks were exclusively a ground problem. It turned out that these tiny red balls with long legs are the most dangerous enemy of small invertebrates. The good news is that hydrocarines are harmless to humans and pose no danger to them at all. But in the aquarium they are in the role ruthless killers, eating crustaceans and water fleas, which are intended as food for ornamental fish. The pests are quite visible to the naked eye - small bright red spiders dot aquarium plants or move in the water with the help of movable long legs. If measures are not taken in time, then in a closed aquarium system they can increase the population several times in a short period of time and become a threat to the entire community, upsetting the balance.

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Scabies mite (subcutaneous mite) -

Trixacarus caviae

These microscopic mites hide under the skin and cause serious pain. You may notice scratches on the skin, mumps willmyselfbiting with teeth, her fur falls out. Serious infestations can be life-threatening. If you suspect that one of your pets is sick with a subcutaneous tick, examine the others as soon as possible. Ivermectin, Otodectin, Novomek, Ivermec - a drug for quick assistance. Several injections of the drug are necessary because these drugs do not kill the eggs laid by females under the skin.

Subcutaneous mites, which appear in guinea pigs, cannot reproduce or live on humans.

Death of a guinea pig can occur due to severe dehydration, increasingly large wounds, and failure to eat due to extreme pain and discomfort. In a healthy animal, the mite may lie dormant for many months or years, becoming a problem in a pregnant guinea pig, a weakened animal during another illness, or after stress. The most serious infestations occur in babies or very old animals, whose immunity is most weakened. The disease in animals of other ages is no less serious, possibly due to poor care or weakened immunity.

Scabies mite (Trixacarus caviae) is an arachnid insect. Infection occurs primarily through direct contact with infected animals, although eggs can be introduced through carelessness. Ticks rarely leave their host, usually as a result of overcrowding or the death of the tick host. Without a host, they usually die within 3 weeks. However, eggs that were laid in burrows in the skin can live for a long time.

Photo - Kat .

Signs: The microscopic mites cause unbearable itching in the pet and can lead to thinning and/or patchy hair loss, flaking skin (can resemble dandruff) and eventually open sores resulting from vigorous scratching that increases hair loss. Scratching an area of skin infested with mites can cause such pain and itching in your guinea pig that the animal falls on its back squealing and begins to convulse.

While skin scraping can confirm mites, it is often not done. Because this procedure is very painful for the guinea pig and is completely unreliable. Often, a veterinarian will use Ivermectin (and analogues) for severe itching and hair loss, when treating another condition (such as a fungal infection), when there is no improvement with treatment. It is important to note that your guinea pig may be suffering from several conditions at the same time.

Diagnostics: Sometimes a veterinarian will completely misdiagnose a mite infestation based solely on the results of a skin scraping.

Example:

"A guinea pig was brought in for treatment with severe scratching. The vet ruled out mites when he did not find any in the skin scrapings. He prescribed treatment for a fungal and yeast infection, sent samples to the laboratory, did a skin biopsy, and felt that he had already investigated every possibility The guinea pig was already under anesthesia twice when taking samples. All this time, the guinea pig (which had already lost most of its hair) was in unbearable pain, with wounds, and after several weeks the condition only worsened. Ivermectin in case it was ticks. The result was immediate."

If you suspect a subcutaneous tick disease, do everything to cure your animal.

Scabies mites can cause the death of an animal!

Processing: In case of mite infestation, an injection is givenIvermectin (Otodectin ) under the withers. Two or more injections are required, 7 to 10 days apart. Ivermectin is best not used on guinea pigs weighing less than 340 grams. Otodectin is designed for use in small animals and is suitable for the treatment of baby guinea pigs who have stopped suckling their mother. This medicine must be used in a strictly calculated dose. A good veterinarian should be familiar with the drug and know what doses are considered safe for guinea pigs. Supervision by a competent physician will ensure that the use of this drug is necessary. The veterinarian may also treat open wounds and wounds caused by scratching and other complications associated with infestation. Keep nails trimmed to minimize further damage from scratching.

Calculate dosageIvermectina (Otodectina) in milligrams per kilogram of weight, for different types of animals. Therefore, it is necessary to know the weight of the animal. Your veterinarian should know how to calculate the correct dosage.

Once the mites have been properly diagnosed, all of your guinea pigs will need to be treated and their living quarters should be completely cleaned. Avoid future infestations by carefully examining newly acquired new animals and quarantining them if you suspect they came from an unsafe breeding facility. Breeders usually quarantine new gilts (as they can carry mites without showing signs of illness). It is better to prevent new arrivals from subcutaneous mites than to risk introducing them to a whole herd of guinea pigs.

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Word forms

"Water Mites" in books

Mermen

From the book Masters of the Spirit author Voznesensky Andrey Andreevich

Watermen R. Shchedrin We are animals! I will erase your human name. Water skis straighten us in the wind. So that freedom straightens us out on the fly - like tearing horsepower on the Anichkov Bridge. Loneliness is all hope for the spines. I wouldn't break it. We are animals

Water deities

From the book Myths of Slavic Paganism author Shepping Dmitry Ottovich

Water deities Water, as an element directly affecting the fertility of the earth, must have occupied a very important place in our myth, and it is very likely that the water gods in this regard often had the meaning of the symbolic power of the gods of fertility and vice versa,

Mermen

From the book Legends of Lviv. Volume 2 author Vinnichuk Yuri Pavlovich

Mermen Playing cards with a Merman Once upon a time Poltva was rushing river and not only turned the blades of the mills, but also overflowed the banks, flooding estates, washing away barns and houses. Watermen lived in the river. And it wouldn’t hurt to know that mermen, like people, are different - some are kind, and some are

Mermen

From the book The World of Subtle Energies. Message from the Unmanifested World author Kivrin Vladimir

Aquatic An energetic entity that lives in water. Sometimes appears as a man wrapped in mud. Mermen love to live in rivers that flow among spruce forests, prefer to settle near mills. But they also live in any lakes, rivers and ponds where energy

Water clock

From the book Worlds Collide author Velikovsky Immanuel

Water clock In addition to the gnomon, or sundial, the Egyptians used water clocks, the advantage of which over the first is that they could show time all night, and not just during the day. A full-fledged copy was found in the temple of Amun in Karnak (Thebes) on

78 Water jets

From the book How to Understand the Complex Laws of Physics. 100 simple and fun experiments for children and their parents author Dmitriev Alexander Stanislavovich

78 Water jets For the experiment we will need: a disposable plastic syringe. We will do this simple experiment using a regular medical syringe without a needle. A syringe can be bought very cheaply for testing at any pharmacy - disposable, plastic. The syringe is designed simply -

Water clock

From the book Another History of Science. From Aristotle to Newton author Kalyuzhny Dmitry Vitalievich

Water clocks Sundials were a simple and reliable time indicator, but suffered from some serious disadvantages: their operation was dependent on the weather and was limited to the time between sunrise and sunset. There is no doubt that because of this, scientists began to seek other

1. Water wheels

From the book Engine Makers [ill. E. Vanyukov] author Gumilevsky Lev Ivanovich

1. Water wheels FrolovIn 1817, the French government founded in Saint-Etienne High school mining sciences. When the first intake of students took place, very little was known about the school. Only eight people entered the first year, mostly natives

WATER SPIRITS

From the author's book

WATER SPIRITS Asrai, or Water-fairies. There are two almost identical tales from Cheshire and Shropshire. In both, the fisherman pulls out the asrai in the net and places it on the bottom of the boat. The creature begs for freedom, but the fisherman does not understand its language. In the Cheshire version, the fisherman ties From the book Great Soviet Encyclopedia (VO) by the author TSB