Hi,
Today I found a cluster of small arthropods on my Swiss chard growing in a raised bed. There seem to be several different types of arthropod. I could identify a few ants (not in photo). There there were many small round critters. Are these likely aphids?
Very interestingly, I was looking at the aphids with a 40x microscope and saw another very small arthropod moving among the aphids. Any idea what the very small arthropod is that was among the aphids?
Thanks.
This is a mite, a tiny relative of ticks. From its appearance, it likely is a species that feeds on other small arthropods rather than plants.
THe others do look like aphids. Lucky you- having a predator there.
