Isopods seem to be dying from mites

[generaldecay]

I've read that mites aren't harmful to isopods, but yesterday I saw one of my pods twitching and seizing up. They fell off the wood twice and just lay there on their back, and I saw that they were infested with mites. As expected, this morning they were dead, and still covered in mites. I've lost three isopods in the last few weeks and I'm worried that this is why. Any advice? And will mites harm my new babies, or just crawl on adults?

 

[spiderking31]

I’m keeping an A. Australis, and worry about mites!! And was considering Isopods for my cricket cage. Would that help in any way?? Also, how do you end up with mites?? It’s a little confusing to me, as I have a desert species.

 

[coolnweird]

Typically mites only eat things that are already dead or injured, but this can also apply to indisposed animals, such as a molting isopod. You can add springtails, they'll compete with the mites for resources and lower their numbers over time. If you can get clear pictures of the mites, there are some talented folks on here who might be able to ID them and give you more specific advice!

 

[generaldecay]

Attached an image of my mites because there was another death. Yesterday, this woodlouse was mating and walking around, but she looked a little faded and slow. Then she went into my sphagnum and stayed there and I knew she'd be dead the next day. When I found her today she was on her back. All of my isopods that have died so far have gone into the moss or substrate first. I thought dessication at first but I sprayed down the tub yesterday. Also, there's way more springtails than these mites in the tub (I don't see mites walking around often).

 

[Delta1243]

I’ve never experienced this problem, but I would change the substrate or enclosure to stop this from getting worse and maybe try to pick off any mites on the Isopods when you move them.

 

[Ponerinecat]

Neat! These are mesostigmatids, which are well known for being prolific predators and occasionally parasites. The vast majority of the time they predate on smaller soft bodied soil fauna, but these actually seem to be eating the dead isopod. Looks like they're targeting the marsupium, perhaps eggs or even the cotedylons? Would be interested in seeing some close ups.

 

[generaldecay]

Would be interested in seeing some close ups.

It's interesting that you say about the marsupium because most of my isos had full ones when they died... haven't lost any in a while now and my springtail pop. has been booming which is keeping mites down. But I'll try and add another photo if it happens again.