What do cushion mites look like? - briefly
Cushion mites are microscopic arthropods, usually 0.2–0.5 mm long, with an oval, soft‑bodied shape that looks translucent or pale white under magnification. Their legs are short and concealed, and certain species display a faint reddish tint.
What do cushion mites look like? - in detail
Cushion mites are microscopic arachnids, typically measuring between 0.2 mm and 0.5 mm in length. Their bodies are oval to slightly elongated, lacking distinct coloration; most appear translucent or faintly yellow under light microscopy. The exoskeleton is smooth, with a thin, flexible cuticle that does not display hard scutes or pronounced ridges.
The anatomy divides into two principal regions. The anterior gnathosoma houses the mouthparts and is compact, bearing chelicerae and a pair of pedipalps. The posterior idiosoma contains the bulk of the abdomen and bears four pairs of short legs, each ending in simple claws without additional segmentation. Legs are proportionally short, often appearing as tiny extensions rather than prominent appendages.
Key morphological traits include:
- Absence of eyes or visual organs.
- Sparse setae covering the dorsal surface, giving a faint, velvety texture.
- A pair of ventral plates that may be slightly sclerotized, providing modest protection to the underside.
- Lack of distinct segmentation on the abdomen; the body appears as a continuous tube.
Species within the group may differ in the degree of setal density and the shape of the ventral plates, but all share the transparent, soft-bodied appearance and the compact, leg-limited form described above.