Velvet On The Ground

Wayne from Toodyay sent in this picture recently, wondering what it could be.

 
This critter appears to be a Velvet Mite (Order Acarina) which are reputed to come out from under the leaf litter after rain and prey on grasshoppers and aphids!! The picture here shows the free-roaming adult in search of small invertebrates for dinner!

Velvet Mites are known from across the world but there is little known about their ecology or life-cycle in Western Australia.

With the rain over the last month or so, the bush is really starting to come alive with more amazing critters! This 'Other 99%' of our fauna is often overlooked when we think of the bush, but play a vital role in the nutrient and decomposition cycles.

Goldfields Trapdoor Spiders

Rebecca from Subiaco sent in a few photos of some trapdoor spider burrows she noticed on a recent wildflower expidition into the goldfields.

The burrows are made by mygalomorph trapdoor spiders from the family Idiopidae and can be quite large. You can see at least three rings on the burrow lids which suggest the spiders within are that old. They attach the local fallen litter to the burrow edge with their silk and ambush prey such as ants and beetles.

Trapdoor spiders make great indicators of habitat health, as they need many other insects and bugs to sustain them, while also being seen as a tasty snack by predators such as reptiles and butcher birds.

As spring 2011 progresses we will post any interesting and unusual discoveries that come across our desk, so send any of your cool pics to info@wheatbeltnrm.org.au if you want to know more!