Red Velvet mite

Trombidium grandissimum

                             
                                 Velvet mites are arachnids found in soil litter known for their bright red colours but are often mistaken for spiders. They are active predators as grown adults but early instars are often parasites on insects. The pattern of stages is shared with that of other members of the Prostigmata: egg, pre-larva, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, tritonymph and adult (male or female). They usually have only one breeding cycle per year. One well known species from the Palearctic is Trombidium holosericeum. The systematics of this group has been in flux and many former subfamilies of this are now raised to families within the Trombidioidea.

                               The species Trombidium grandissimum is endemic to the northern parts of the Indian subcontinent. Alternate names for it include Bir Bahuti, Birbaboti, Scarlet Fly, Lady Fly, Velvet Buchi (Telugu term commonly used in Hyderabad, India), 'Aarudra Purugu' (another Telugu word from around Hyderabad, India because one sees them only in the season 'Aarudra'), 'Sadhaba Bohu'('ସାଧବ ବୋହୁ', Oriya term meaning 'Bride of the Seafarer' owing to the red velvet coat and beautiful looks) and Rani Keeda (Hindi/Urdu: Queen Mite). The mites are visible in large numbers early in the Monsoon season and so are also called rain mites in the subcontinent. In Gujarat, the term for velvet mite is "Gokal Gaay" or "Mama Ni Gaay". Bir Bahuti is used as an ingredient in traditional Indian medicine. It folds its legs when it comes in contact with a predator. The act is to protect the legs but also to place them in front of main internal organs. It can be clearly observed when picked up. It will unfold its legs and start moving once it feels that it's out of danger; and can be observed walking again after some minutes if left untouched.

Interesting facts : 

The oil from red velvet mite "Trombidium grandissimum" is useful for paralysis. Also, due to its alleged ability to increase sexual desire, Trombidium is named as ‘Indian Viagra’ (Oudhia 1999b).
The immunostimulant potential in the haemolymph of Red velvet mite suggests that the mite possess bioactive
compounds and this has to be explored in future.

Taxonomy  : 

Kingdom :     Animalia
Phylum :        Arthropoda
Class :           Arachnida
Subclass :      Acari
Order :          Trombidiformes
Superfamily : Trombidioidea
Family :         Trombidiidae
Genus :          Trombidium
Species :        T.grandissimum
B.Name :       Trombidium grandissimum