Spinturnix americanus is a species of mite that uses several species of vespertillionid bats as its hosts, including little brown bats (Myotis lucifugus), big brown bats (Eptisecus fuscus) and eastern pipstrelles (Pipistrellus subflavus). These mites are specialists on the wings and tail membranes of their flying hosts and have no interest in venturing into the forest of fur on those mammals. Photo is by Christopher M. Ritzi and comes from this site.
rather pretty, actually!
ReplyDeleteI am discovering your blog and I do appreciate it ! We are a couple of guys fascinated by the phenomenon of parasitism and fond of microscopy. Here is an example of a French Spinturnix on our blog specialised on ectoparasites and mites !
ReplyDeleteWe love your blog !
Cheers