Can moths have mites?

[crellow]

Can moths have mites? I ask because I just found this Alucita sp. with a little red thing on its body:

[fffffffff]

Sure any land arthropod can have mites and it’s one of them.

[anthonywalton]

I’ve seen grasshoppers with mites
I’ve also seen Jellyfish infested with tiny parasitic crustaceans

Pretty much anything in the appropriate niche is susceptible to mites or parasites on some scale

[janetwright]

There are some fascinating symbioses between moths and mites. Google “moth mite symbiotic relationship” to learn of a couple.

[kylealdinger]

Yes. I have also observed mites on beetles, crane flies, and scorpion flies.

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/110615875

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/125728833

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/125115412

https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/124683596

[dreadhorn]

Here’s one on a moth I took a photo of too!
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/88487411

[elpatitojuan2]

@anthonywalton

I’ve seen grasshoppers with mites

I’ve seen them too.

[Mercedes-Fletcher]

Wow this is interesting, I just saw a moth that I believe also has a mite on it! Can anyone elaborate a little on what kinds of mites can be found on moths?

[elpatitojuan2]

I’m definitely no mite expert.