Whirligig mite fact sheet | Field of Mars EEC

What are whirligig mites?

Whirligig mites are tiny red predatory mites. They are not insects. Like spiders, ticks and other mites, they are arachnids and adults have eight legs.

This fact sheet focuses on whirligig mites in the genus Anystis. Many look like fast-moving red dots as they run across leaves, bark, rocks, walls or the ground. They get the name “whirligig” because they often move quickly in circles or zigzags.

Whirligig mites are very small, so most species need a microscope or expert identification to name accurately. In bushland and gardens, they are best described as Anystis species unless they have been identified by a mite specialist.

A whirligig mite.

A red whirligig mite moving across a hard surface.

Where do whirligig mites live?

Whirligig mites live in places where they can find small prey. They may be seen on plant leaves, stems, tree trunks, bark, fences, walls, rocks, soil and leaf litter. They are often noticed because they move quickly and are bright red or orange.

In bushland, whirligig mites are part of the small-animal community found on vegetation and in the ground layer. At Field of Mars Reserve, likely habitat includes eucalypt forest, shrub layers, tree trunks, bark, leaf litter and damp or sheltered areas where tiny invertebrates are active.

Students may find tiny red mites during a tree shake or while carefully observing bark and leaves. Because many mites look similar, a small red mite should not be identified to species level without close examination.

Whirligig mites search across leaves, bark and other surfaces for tiny prey.

What do whirligig mites eat?

Whirligig mites are predators. They hunt tiny animals such as aphids, thrips, leafhopper nymphs, psyllids, spider mites, springtails and other small arthropods.

They use their mouthparts to catch and feed on prey. Their fast, searching movements help them cover plant surfaces and find small animals hiding on leaves, bark and stems.

Because they eat plant-feeding pests, some whirligig mites are useful in gardens, farms and orchards. They are part of natural pest control and help keep some small invertebrate populations balanced.

A whirligig mite feeding on a springtail.

What is the life cycle of a whirligig mite?

Whirligig mites have several life stages. They begin as eggs, hatch into larvae, grow through nymph stages and then become adults.

The larvae have six legs. After moulting and growing, the nymphs and adults have eight legs. This is one way mites differ from insects, which have six legs as adults.

Whirligig mites grow by moulting. This means they shed their outer covering and form a larger one as their bodies grow.

Whirligig mite eggs are small, rounded and laid in clusters.

What adaptations do whirligig mites have to help them survive?

Whirligig mites are very fast. Their quick circular and zigzag movements help them search for prey and may help them escape from larger predators.

Their small size helps them move through tiny spaces on bark, leaves and leaf litter. Their red or orange colour makes them easy for people to see, but their speed and tiny body size can make them difficult for predators to catch.

Whirligig mites have forward-pointing mouthparts for catching small prey. Their long legs and fine hairs help them sense and move across rough surfaces such as bark, leaves and soil.

Close-up images can show the fine hairs, long legs and forward-pointing mouthparts of a whirligig mite.

Why are whirligig mites important?

Whirligig mites are important predators in small food webs. By eating aphids, thrips, spider mites, springtails and other tiny invertebrates, they help move energy through the ecosystem and help keep some populations in balance.

They can also be useful to people because some species eat plant pests. This makes them part of natural biological control in gardens, farms and orchards.

Whirligig mites are also food for other animals. Larger predatory insects, spiders and other invertebrates may eat them. Even very tiny animals can have an important role in bushland food webs.

Whirligig mites are small predators that move across bark, leaves and other surfaces while hunting tiny invertebrates.

How can you help whirligig mites?

You can help whirligig mites by protecting the small habitats they use. Leave leaf litter, bark, logs, mulch and fallen plant material in place where it is safe to do so. These places provide shelter for mites and many other tiny animals.

Planting a variety of local native plants helps support a wider range of insects and other invertebrates. This provides food for predators such as whirligig mites.

Avoid unnecessary pesticide use. Broad sprays can kill helpful predators as well as pests. If you find a tiny red mite, observe it gently, take a photo if you can, and return it to its habitat.

Leaf litter, logs and undisturbed soil provide shelter for mites and other small invertebrates.

Related fact sheets

More invertebrate fact sheets

• Invertebrate fact sheets – overview
• Arachnids fact sheet – mites are arachnids
• Lady beetles fact sheet – some lady beetles feed on mites
• Green lacewing fact sheet – lacewing larvae are useful predators in gardens

Habitats and ecosystems

• Leaf litter fact sheet – leaf litter and soil provide shelter for mites and many other tiny invertebrates.
• Rock and log habitats fact sheet – rotting logs provide habitat for mites.
• Field of Mars Reserve fact sheet – explains the local reserve and habitat diversity.

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