#phoretic — Public Fediverse posts
Live and recent posts from across the Fediverse tagged #phoretic, aggregated by home.social.
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Female #antalates can serve as #vectors for introducing #phoreticorganisms, such as #mites, from an established #colony into a newly founded #nest. Hitching a ride on a #youngqueen can be a key #dispersalstrategy for #myrmecophilous #phoreticmites.
However, some #phoretic species also utilize other routes, such as via #workerants.
© #StefanFWirthSupport my work: https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth
Reading:
H. Klompen & K. U. Campbell (2024)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-024-01003-z -
Female #antalates can serve as #vectors for introducing #phoreticorganisms, such as #mites, from an established #colony into a newly founded #nest. Hitching a ride on a #youngqueen can be a key #dispersalstrategy for #myrmecophilous #phoreticmites.
However, some #phoretic species also utilize other routes, such as via #workerants.
© #StefanFWirthSupport my work: https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth
Reading:
H. Klompen & K. U. Campbell (2024)
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00040-024-01003-z -
Please like my new #macrophotography of the #beetle #Valgus #hemipterus (#Scarabaeidae) with a #phoretic #mite (Mesostigmata) on YouTube:
http://youtube.com/post/UgkxdgiRMZHS5NhtynMbH7YIQOR0_FTXkTw-?si=BosP-BDJIguyhnYF
The photo clearly shows the dense #scaling of the #pronotum, serving, i.a., for camouflage. But how generally can the link between selective pressure and #evolutionaryradiation in #scarabbeetles be reconstructed? (See Y. Tong et al.,2024).
©#StefanFWirth,#BerlinReference
https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-06250-1#Photo
© S.F.Wirth; edited in July 2026 -
Please like my new #macrophotography of the #beetle #Valgus #hemipterus (#Scarabaeidae) with a #phoretic #mite (Mesostigmata) on YouTube:
http://youtube.com/post/UgkxdgiRMZHS5NhtynMbH7YIQOR0_FTXkTw-?si=BosP-BDJIguyhnYF
The photo clearly shows the dense #scaling of the #pronotum, serving, i.a., for camouflage. But how generally can the link between selective pressure and #evolutionaryradiation in #scarabbeetles be reconstructed? (See Y. Tong et al.,2024).
©#StefanFWirth,#BerlinReference
https://doi.org/10.1038/s42003-024-06250-1#Photo
© S.F.Wirth; edited in July 2026 -
@nev it can happen that for example depending on the #mobility of the #beetle species and its #strategy to perform its #selfcleaning #behaviors that #phoretic and #parasitic #mites can be limited to small numbers only on an even relatively large #beetle. Most Scarabaeidae develop in #soilhabitats. But when it is #decayingwood or #compost, then this improves the probability that it has associations with phoretic mites. In beetles, #phoreticmites can sometimes be hidden under the elytrae.
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@nev it can happen that for example depending on the #mobility of the #beetle species and its #strategy to perform its #selfcleaning #behaviors that #phoretic and #parasitic #mites can be limited to small numbers only on an even relatively large #beetle. Most Scarabaeidae develop in #soilhabitats. But when it is #decayingwood or #compost, then this improves the probability that it has associations with phoretic mites. In beetles, #phoreticmites can sometimes be hidden under the elytrae.
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The beetle #Valgus #hemipterus is a not very rare inhabitant of Southern Europe and #CentralEurope. The #specimen shown here flew onto my windowsill in #Berlin. It harbored unidentified #mites of the #Uropodina and of #Laelapidae with the latter having conspicuous strongly developed chelicerae. The Uropodinae are #phoretic and Laelapidae either phoretic or facultatively #parasitic.©#StefanFWirth
Please support my work,I depend on donations:
https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth#Photos
©S.F.Wirth -
The beetle #Valgus #hemipterus is a not very rare inhabitant of Southern Europe and #CentralEurope. The #specimen shown here flew onto my windowsill in #Berlin. It harbored unidentified #mites of the #Uropodina and of #Laelapidae with the latter having conspicuous strongly developed chelicerae. The Uropodinae are #phoretic and Laelapidae either phoretic or facultatively #parasitic.©#StefanFWirth
Please support my work,I depend on donations:
https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth#Photos
©S.F.Wirth -
Years ago, with my then-host in the USA, John C. Moser, I described the #myrmecophilous #phoretic #mite #Histiostoma #blomquisti as a new #species (S.F.Wirth & J.C.Moser, 2010).
In a recent #sciencecomm. #article, I reconstructed its #biology, being found on active #queens of ant #Solenopsis #invicta, from my current perspective (S.F.Wirth,2026).
©#StefanFWirth 2026Please support me with a coffee https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth
Ref
https://doi.org/10.1051/acarologia/20101979#Photos
©S F.Wirth -
Years ago, with my then-host in the USA, John C. Moser, I described the #myrmecophilous #phoretic #mite #Histiostoma #blomquisti as a new #species (S.F.Wirth & J.C.Moser, 2010).
In a recent #sciencecomm. #article, I reconstructed its #biology, being found on active #queens of ant #Solenopsis #invicta, from my current perspective (S.F.Wirth,2026).
©#StefanFWirth 2026Please support me with a coffee https://ko-fi.com/sfwirth
Ref
https://doi.org/10.1051/acarologia/20101979#Photos
©S F.Wirth -
Very small #mites are subject of my research as they are associated with other arthropods (#phoretic#dispersal), and even #influence the #microclimate in their #habitats in complex ways, by fungal #spore transport+chemical fungal growth regulation via own #fungicides. #Histiostoma #sapromyzarum is subject of my current#Behance project exploring it also #aestheticslly.
I depend on support, please buy me a coffee
https://ko-fi.com/sfwirthBehance S F.Wirth
https://www.behance.net/gallery/244398767/Fragile-Transparency -
Very small #mites are subject of my research as they are associated with other arthropods (#phoretic#dispersal), and even #influence the #microclimate in their #habitats in complex ways, by fungal #spore transport+chemical fungal growth regulation via own #fungicides. #Histiostoma #sapromyzarum is subject of my current#Behance project exploring it also #aestheticslly.
I depend on support, please buy me a coffee
https://ko-fi.com/sfwirthBehance S F.Wirth
https://www.behance.net/gallery/244398767/Fragile-Transparency -
#Freelancers like me depend on support to survive and be productive, I much appreciate support for a coffee: ko-fi.com/sfwirth
I am performing #science, #sciencecommunication and #arts, often combining arts/science. My #topicrange is wide, it reaches from titan #isopods over the behaviors of the Mediterranean #Junebeetle and even over an #animated #video about the #Cambrianexplosion towards #phoretic #mites of the #Histiostomatidae. Here H. sp. from rotting #lemonfruits. Please support my work. -
#Freelancers like me depend on support to survive and be productive, I much appreciate support for a coffee: ko-fi.com/sfwirth
I am performing #science, #sciencecommunication and #arts, often combining arts/science. My #topicrange is wide, it reaches from titan #isopods over the behaviors of the Mediterranean #Junebeetle and even over an #animated #video about the #Cambrianexplosion towards #phoretic #mites of the #Histiostomatidae. Here H. sp. from rotting #lemonfruits. Please support my work. -
Why a #mite of the #Parasitidae (#Mesostigmata), apparently genus #Parasitellus, seemingly attacks moth #Pyrausta #despicata (Crambidae). Parasitellus develops in #bumblebee #nests and uses them for dispersal (#phoresy) to other nests, thus they leave their hosts on blossoms and wait for new hosts to be carried to new nests. The moth was detected by the mite as a #nonsuitable #phoretic #host.
© #StefanFWirth #Berlin 2025
Visit my new YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/gRAT7CIKWTk?si=hb2LC19Fmf1URVl6Photos
©S.F. Wirth -
Why a #mite of the #Parasitidae (#Mesostigmata), apparently genus #Parasitellus, seemingly attacks moth #Pyrausta #despicata (Crambidae). Parasitellus develops in #bumblebee #nests and uses them for dispersal (#phoresy) to other nests, thus they leave their hosts on blossoms and wait for new hosts to be carried to new nests. The moth was detected by the mite as a #nonsuitable #phoretic #host.
© #StefanFWirth #Berlin 2025
Visit my new YouTube Video:
https://youtu.be/gRAT7CIKWTk?si=hb2LC19Fmf1URVl6Photos
©S.F. Wirth -
My #YouTube #article points to my upcoming nature #video, showing interesting #biological #interactions on a common #dandelion inflorescence. A #mite (#Parasitellus sp.) appears to be attacking a #moth (#Pyrausta #despicata), but in reality, this is merely a #mistake by the mite, which is actually looking for a bee, presumably bumblebee, as a #phoretic #host for #dispersal.
©#StefanFWirth Berlin 2025
Reference
YouTube article S. F. Wirth (2025):
http://youtube.com/post/UgkxP4oYFemnF7k6y-nbS89fXNeVq1h3xKh9?si=aJ8MiJJvpfPaYabn#Photos
©S.F. Wirth -
My #YouTube #article points to my upcoming nature #video, showing interesting #biological #interactions on a common #dandelion inflorescence. A #mite (#Parasitellus sp.) appears to be attacking a #moth (#Pyrausta #despicata), but in reality, this is merely a #mistake by the mite, which is actually looking for a bee, presumably bumblebee, as a #phoretic #host for #dispersal.
©#StefanFWirth Berlin 2025
Reference
YouTube article S. F. Wirth (2025):
http://youtube.com/post/UgkxP4oYFemnF7k6y-nbS89fXNeVq1h3xKh9?si=aJ8MiJJvpfPaYabn#Photos
©S.F. Wirth -
The #duskyant, #Formica #fusca (#Myrmicinae), is a ground-dwelling #ant with #earthnests in warmer habitats, widespread in #CentralEurope and extending across the western #Palearctic. The nests are #polygynous (severely active #queens). Like many ant species, this one also carries #phoretic organisms on its body, e.g., #mites of the #Histiostomatidae. #biodiversity #insects #Hymenoptera
© #StefanFWirth, #Berlin May 2025
Artistic Photo:
#Worker of F. fusca Berlin, May 2025, © S.F. Wirth
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The #duskyant, #Formica #fusca (#Myrmicinae), is a ground-dwelling #ant with #earthnests in warmer habitats, widespread in #CentralEurope and extending across the western #Palearctic. The nests are #polygynous (severely active #queens). Like many ant species, this one also carries #phoretic organisms on its body, e.g., #mites of the #Histiostomatidae. #biodiversity #insects #Hymenoptera
© #StefanFWirth, #Berlin May 2025
Artistic Photo:
#Worker of F. fusca Berlin, May 2025, © S.F. Wirth
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#Lemon #tree #Citrus × #limon, its fruits, their insecticidal effect, about tree-#endophytic #organisms (#microbiota) and the rotting #fruits as #habitats for #phoretic #mites (#Histiostomatidae). #Ecology, #phoresy, #phoresis, #soil, #decomposition
© #StefanFWirth Berlin2024My #blog on #biologe + #literature:
wp.me/p2l6XU-1TF
Photos 2+3: details of small #lemontree from plant trade Berlin, 1: #Histiostoma sp. (H. #feroniarum-complex) from lemons in #Sorrento (#Italy,2006) © S. F. Wirth 2024
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#Lemon #tree #Citrus × #limon, its fruits, their insecticidal effect, about tree-#endophytic #organisms (#microbiota) and the rotting #fruits as #habitats for #phoretic #mites (#Histiostomatidae). #Ecology, #phoresy, #phoresis, #soil, #decomposition
© #StefanFWirth Berlin2024My #blog on #biologe + #literature:
wp.me/p2l6XU-1TF
Photos 2+3: details of small #lemontree from plant trade Berlin, 1: #Histiostoma sp. (H. #feroniarum-complex) from lemons in #Sorrento (#Italy,2006) © S. F. Wirth 2024
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The #phoretic #mite #Forcellinia #wasmanni (#Astigmata, #Acaridae), which occurs among other ant species on the ant #Myrmica #rudinodis, develops in the ant #nest. The phoretic #dispersal stage (#deutonymph) is spread by ant workers.
To do this, I discovered a behavior I call "#pupa #guarding": it attaches to ant pupae and waits in this position until the adult ant hatches.. My video 2015-2023 in reduced quality (size limitations)
© #StefanFWirth Berlin/Usedom -
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Can’t complain about the view during morning coffee break at #EntSoc22! And great talks coming up soon. Check out my recent feed for all five of the upcoming presentations after the break from students in my lab.
#Orchid #pollinators, pollinators after #fire, #urban #biodiversity, #agroecosystems, and #phoretic #mites!
🐝🐜🦋🐞🦗🦟🪰🪲🪳🕷️
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Can’t complain about the view during morning coffee break at #EntSoc22! And great talks coming up soon. Check out my recent feed for all five of the upcoming presentations after the break from students in my lab.
#Orchid #pollinators, pollinators after #fire, #urban #biodiversity, #agroecosystems, and #phoretic #mites!
🐝🐜🦋🐞🦗🦟🪰🪲🪳🕷️