''Dinothrombium'' is a genus of

mite Mites are small arachnids (eight-legged arthropods) of two large orders, the Acariformes and the Parasitiformes, which were historically grouped together in the subclass Acari. However, most recent genetic analyses do not recover the two as eac ...

s belonging to the family

Trombidiidae Trombidiidae, also known as red velvet mites, true velvet mites, or rain bugs, are small arachnids (eight-legged arthropods) found in plant litter and are known for their bright red color. While adults are typically no more than in length, so ...

, which are commonly known as red velvet mites. As suggested by the name, ''Dinothrombium'' are covered in fine hairs and they are bright red, sometimes with markings in paler colors. Their bright colours appear to be

aposematic Aposematism is the Advertising in biology, advertising by an animal, whether terrestrial or marine, to potential predation, predators that it is not worth attacking or eating. This unprofitability may consist of any defenses which make the pr ...

, hinting at their unpleasant taste and smell. They are generally fairly large for their family and the African ''D. tinctorum'', where adults typically are , is one of the largest known species of red velvet mites (and the largest mites, if disregarding

tick Ticks are parasitic arachnids of the order Ixodida. They are part of the mite superorder Parasitiformes. Adult ticks are approximately 3 to 5 mm in length depending on age, sex, and species, but can become larger when engorged. Ticks a ...

s engorged after feeding). ''Dinothrombium'' are found in all the world's continents, except Antarctica, often in dry areas, where they spend most of the time underground in the soil or sand, emerging after heavy rain. During this time, they can be conspicuous and numerous. They are harmless to humans and regarded as beneficial because they feed on tiny

arthropod Arthropods ( ) are invertebrates in the phylum Arthropoda. They possess an arthropod exoskeleton, exoskeleton with a cuticle made of chitin, often Mineralization (biology), mineralised with calcium carbonate, a body with differentiated (Metam ...

s and their eggs, including pest species.

Species

The following species are recognised in the genus ''Dinothrombium'': *'' Dinothrombium brevipilum'' *'' Dinothrombium colhuanum'' *'' Dinothrombium corpulentum'' *'' Dinothrombium crassipalpe'' (Trägårdh, 1904) *'' Dinothrombium dammermani'' Vitzhum, 1926 *'' Dinothrombium dugesi'' (Trouessart, 1894) *'' Dinothrombium eupectum'' (Leonardi, 1901) *'' Dinothrombium gigas'' (Trouessart, 1894) *'' Dinothrombium oparbellae'' (André, 1949) *'' Dinothrombium pandorae'' (Newell & Tevis, 1960) *'' Dinothrombium pedioculatum'' (André, 1927) *'' Dinothrombium southcotti'' Fain, 1991 *'' Dinothrombium superbum'' (Banks, 1910) *'' Dinothrombium tarsale'' (Berlese, 1916) *'' Dinothrombium tinctorum'' (Linnaeus, 1767) *'' Dinothrombium torridum'' Hirst, 1928 *'' Dinothrombium trispilum'' (Berlese, 1916) *'' Dinothrombium zarniki'' (Krausse, 1916)

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q21220605 Trombidiidae