Velvet Mite - Trombidium holosericeum

They are bright red and covered in tiny hairs, which gives them a velvet appearance - hence the name. Mites are arachnids, like spiders, and therefore have 8 legs. Like other mites, they have no antennae. The front legs are used as feelers to check where they're going. They are quite large mites, but are still only about 3 to 5 mm in length.

NOTE: the images below are displayed in a red box to indicate that they have not been definitively identified as this species and are included for illustrative purposes only.

In loose soil, on stones, garden paths etc.

March to October but most often seen in spring when they emerge from hibernation.

Carnivorous, but a harmless species, feeding on small invertebrates and their eggs. They hibernate through the winter.

Common throughout Britain though not well recorded.

Thought to be fairly frequent in Leicestershire and Rutland.