Clover Mites
You may have come across a Clover Mite (Bryobia praetiosa) either on your lawn, in the woods or inside your house. While they are closely related to ticks, there is no cause for alarm as they do not bite and are not harmful to humans. These tiny, pin head-size mites feed on the sap of clover, grasses and roughly 200 other flowering plants.
All Clover Mites are female — they reproduce parthenogenetically and do not need males in order for their eggs to be viable. The (up to 70) eggs they lay and the larvae are bright red, while adults are reddish-brown. Clover Mites are extremely common this time of year, as well as in the fall.
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Naturally Curious with Mary Holland 
Hello Mary,
Please know that I LOVE your posts AND your book(s). There is so much to learn from them — you and your content are a “precious resource”! About your current post, “Clover Mites,” however: could the beautiful beast pictured be a Velvet Mite, rather? And can you set me straight on differentiating the two (?) mite families and their various representatives?
May 6, 2020 at 7:08 am
Hi Dave,
I’m flattered that after mis-identifying the mite you ask about differentiating the two families. Afraid I don’t have time right now to delve into it, but will try to get to it soon. Thank you for correcting me so graciously!
May 7, 2020 at 11:23 am
Hi there, Are these clover mites in the water? I saw these in March in a ditch on the side of a road. I’ve been wondering what they were. Thanks, Jan
On Wed, May 6, 2020, 6:56 AM Naturally Curious with Mary Holland wrote:
> Mary Holland posted: ” You may have come across a Clover Mite (Bryobia > praetiosa) either on your lawn, in the woods or inside your house. While > they are closely related to ticks, there is no cause for alarm as they do > not bite and are not harmful to humans. These tiny, pi” >
May 6, 2020 at 7:28 am
WordPress doesn’t allow your photo to come through, I’m afraid. Might what you have seen in the water been snowfleas? You can send your photo to me at mholland@vermontel.net. Thanks!
May 7, 2020 at 11:22 am
I have seen one of those, several years ago. Interesting that they are all females.
May 6, 2020 at 7:57 am
I thought these were red velvet mites?
May 6, 2020 at 8:27 am
Indeed, they are!!!
May 7, 2020 at 11:21 am
I just came across two while weeding. They are REALLY tiny. At first I thought they were that red fungus – also the wonderful red color.
May 6, 2020 at 8:28 am
Are they brightly colored because they are toxic or distasteful?
May 6, 2020 at 8:38 am
Great question, Kathie. I honestly don’t know…I was brought up being told they were used for war paint (after being squished), but that doesn’t really answer your question!
May 6, 2020 at 11:50 am
I love these bugs! I used to sit and watch them for long periods of time as a kid on my front porch. I always wondered why they flocked to the cement porch. Any ideas?
May 6, 2020 at 9:15 am
I’m afraid not!
May 7, 2020 at 11:20 am
I have a photo I would like to send you. Is there an email I could send it to. I’ve tried sending it through your daily email but that doesn’t work. Thank you!!! Sally
May 6, 2020 at 10:55 am
Sure! Just send it to me at mholland@vermontel.net. I would love to see it!
May 6, 2020 at 11:46 am
That looks more like a velvet mite than a clover mite?
May 6, 2020 at 12:26 pm