The Smell Test

[Acromyrmexbob]

As an indicator species they are actually beneficial. If you ever see mites on the fungus garden then this is the first sign that something is going wrong. Maybe the queen has died or there is another problem. Under optimal conditions the ants would never tolerate mites on the garden but they seem to drop this if there is a problem. When I am contacted by a customer who has a colony in difficulty I always ask them if there are mites in the area surrounding the garden normally, and if these can be seen on the fungus. I finf this a useful and elegant diagnostic tool and in virtually all circumstances I have come across the mites have never presented a problem to the ants.

[Leafcutter]

Dust mites I was led to believe we're in my waste chamber too.

[Deansie26]

Is an interesting topic. Does freak you out the first time you see them,

[Acromyrmexbob]

I do not think they are dust mites. We should get them identified. Would be useful. Or we should do a literature hunt. Cant believe someone somewhere hasnt ID'd them

[Jackie62]

I still have my samples of mites and have a mite expert on campus....I'll see what I can do, but may be after Christmas now.

[Acromyrmexbob]

Now we're talking!

[Atta solider]

I see them on the old fungus it's like the fungus must have somthing to do with it as when they take the old fungus away and about two / three days the mites come it's like if the ants look after the old fungus like they do in fungus gardens am sure they won't be any whe. I was cleaning the tank were they put the old waste there was old workers that was there turning over the waste and there was mites on the old died workers I think they might be good as they help break down the waste that's what I think but am new so I don't no lol

[Acromyrmexbob]

I think they might be good as they help break down the waste that's what I think but am new so I don't no lol

I actually agree with this. I think they are at worst harmless and at best part of the processing line.