red velvet mites

(Trombidium spp.)

Overview  •  Description  •  Distribution  •  Taxonomy

Overview

Trombidium is a genus of small parasitic arachnids known as red velvet mites. It is very widespread, occurring on every continent except Antarctica. It is most common in northern Europe and in North America. In the United States it is common east of the Great Plains and west of the Rocky Mountains, scattered and uncommon between. It is common in Minnesota. There are at least 35 living and 1 fossilized Trombidium species worldwide, at least three species in North America north of Mexico, and at least 1 species in Minnesota..
 
red velvet mite (Trombidium sp.)
Photo by Kirk Nelson
 

Adults are found in moist woods on vegetation, in forest litter, and on soil. They feed on other mites, primitive wingless insects, and eggs of insects and snails. Larvae are parasitic on insects, spiders, harvestmen, and scorpions. Some species live for several years, while other species live for just one year. The female scatters eggs on the surface of the soil. When the eggs hatch, the larvae search for a host to feed on.
Description

Red velvet mites are small arachnids but large mites. Adults are ⅛″ (3 mm to 4 mm) in length and oval to more or less rounded rectangular in shape. They are bright red and and densely covered with short, velvety hairs. This is the feature that gives the genus its common name. Adults have four pairs of legs. Juveniles have just three pairs.
Distribution

Distribution Map

  

Sources

24, 29, 30, 82, 83.
6/17/2025    
Taxonomy

Class

Arachnida (arachnids)

Subclass

Acari (mites and ticks)

Superorder

Acariformes

Order

Trombidiformes (trombidiform mites)

Suborder

Prostigmata (prostigs)

Infraorder

Parasitengona

Superfamily

Trombidioidea (velvet mites)

Family

Trombidiidae (true velvet mites)

Subfamily

Trombidiinae
   

Subordinate Taxa

red velvet mite (Trombidium auroraense)

red velvet mite (Trombidium grandissimum)

red velvet mite (Trombidium hyperi)
   

Synonyms

Atomus

Holothrombium

Metathrombium

Sericothrombium

Teresothrombium

Thrombidium

Trombidion
   

Common Names

red velvet mites

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Visitor Photos
 

Share your photo of this arachnid.
 

This button not working for you?
Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Attach one or more photos and, if you like, a caption.

Jeff Holm

I observed a Red Velvet Mite in Northeast Sherburne County one mile South of the Rum River near a wetland in a stand of poplar tree next to Lake Margritte on 11/05/2023.
red velvet mite (Trombidium sp.)   red velvet mite (Trombidium sp.)
     
red velvet mite (Trombidium sp.)    

Tori

I think this is what it is... I have attached a picture.
red velvet mite (Trombidium sp.)   red velvet mite (Trombidium sp.)
     
red velvet mite (Trombidium sp.)    

Kirk Nelson
red velvet mite (Trombidium sp.)
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
   

 
   

 

 

Camera

 

Slideshows

Trombidium
Leif Karlsson
Trombidium

 

slideshow

 

Visitor Videos
 

Share your video of this arachnid.
 

This button not working for you?
Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Attach a video, a YouTube link, or a cloud storage link.

 

 
 
 
Other Videos

Secrets of the Red Velvet Mite
Will Forester
About

Published on Oct 21, 2015

Though these little critters may be more abundant than we realise, their minuscule size makes them almost impossible to see among the undergrowth & leaf litter of the forest. Unless of course, as in this rare occasion, they're out in force & hunting for their prey. On this particular walk we spotted no less than 30 to 35 of them in a relatively small area. So, there's no surprise that I had to take every opportunity I had & film & photograph as many as I could. To see a detailed collection of the photographs, head to my Facebook page www.facebook.com/underamushroom

or visit my website at
www.underamushroom.com

 

Camcorder

 

Visitor Sightings
 

Report a sighting of this arachnid.
 

This button not working for you?
Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Be sure to include a location.

Jessica Johnson
6/16/2025

Location: Tacoma WA
Jeff Holm
11/5/2023

Location: Sherburne County

I observed a Red Velvet Mite in Northeast Sherburne County one mile South of the Rum River near a wetland in a stand of poplar tree next to Lake Margritte on 11/05/2023.

 red velvet mite (Trombidium sp.)
Erin
5/10/2022

Location: 55376

wooded area
Tori
4/29/2022

Location: Hinckley, Pine County

I think this is what it is... I have attached a picture.

 red velvet mite (Trombidium sp.)
Brock Soukkala
6/6/2018

Location: jordan MN river bottoms.

10 or more 
Kirk Nelson
4/20/2014

Location: Crosby Farm Regional Park

red velvet mite (Trombidium sp.)
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings

 

 

 

Binoculars

 

Created: 1/7/2018

Last Updated:

© MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved.

About Us

Privacy Policy

Contact Us