Tags: Arachnid.
Androlaelaps casalis is a species of mite. It is a predatory mite that lives on other mites and small invertebrates. It cannot bite or sting birds and humans because its manibles are not designed for sucking but for predation on other mites. Because Androlaelaps casalis mites also feed of parasitic mites like Dermanyssus gallinae individuals with red colored abdomens can be found. This is not due to any blood-sucking by A. casalis but is because it has ingested blood-engorged parasitic mites.