Velvet mites
Known variously as Velvet Mite, Rani Keeda, Rain Mite, Beerboti and Bir Bahuti. These insects are related to mites, yes the same mites which you can find on dogs! Scientific name – Trombidium grandissimum. They emerge from the ground just after first rains and are found almost through out the central Indian plains…
As children we use to go to the grave yard to collect them and make them race, keep in glass jars – we knew that they are used in traditional medicine and felt very yuck!! who would want to eat them.
It turns out that amongst it purported medicinal property is some similarity with Viagra… in fact the name Bir Bahuti – literally meaning “the new bride” is an allusion to that very myth.
This myth will probably be the cause of its ultimate destruction – over the years a huge international market has emerged for it and they are collected not few at a time but by kilograms!! They are then dried in sun and shipped to Varanasi where there are Bir Bahuti oil extraction factories.
These specimen were collected by Aasim from a location where I suspect that a population of them is thriving unknown to these collectors – I just hope it remains that way.
What a gorgeous photo. I hope one day I can see that for myself. Thank you for this post:)
Glad you liked it
Loved it:)
Wonderful pic!
You never cease to amaze me, i must say! Any chance of finding these in north india, or they are exclusive to central india only?
I see some white specs, are they dust bunnies or something on the dude’s back?
Re: Wonderful pic!
This was taken in a flowerpot?
Re: Wonderful pic!
Thanks, the mite is about 10mm in size – there is indeed a speck of dust on its back – the picture was taken inside a plastic jar
Re: Wonderful pic!
10mm! amazing
I’ve seen these bugs. Are they orthopodeans?
Same properties as Viagra? ROTFL.
They definitely do not fix bones – so they must be Arthropods rather than orthopods
Aah, sorry about that. My spelling is getting worse.
That’s an amazing colour! They do look so soft and velvety. Thanks for sharing.
Yes they are indeed soft, velvelty and delicate to touch…. Glad you like the picture
Thanks. Good pic, it reminds me my childhood days and I must return sometime in rainy season to see them. Picture is so lively and “Natsukashi” — Japanaese word when remember someting from the past!! Information is great too. Keep it up!
Deo
This is a great photo, definitely one of the best I have seen! I am a student at UW-La Crosse and I am working on a project for my Organismal Biology class. My project is to build a working website viewable to the public, and my topic is T. grandissimum. I was wondering if I could use this photo on my site? I would cite where it came from, along with hyperlinking it back to your page. You can shoot me an email telling me what you think. Thank you!
Hey Kayla,
Feel free to use the photo as long as you cite and link back
Cheers
Tarique