http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-photos/when-pseudoscorpions-attack/ Red Wiggler Worms, European Nightcrawlers and loads of helpful Worm Composting Information Fri, 10 Feb 2012 18:46:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-photos/when-pseudoscorpions-attack/comment-page-1/#comment-30461 Garrett Thu, 26 May 2011 21:41:43 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=188#comment-30461 That is a tough call. I've read papers about pseudoscorpions using flies as means of transportation, and also about some pseudoscorpions that will actually team up to take down larger prey. according to my understanding, the ones that have the semi-social cooperative hunting habits use their chelicerae (mouthparts) to pierce the prey and suck out the juices. Since you can't see the mouthparts in this picture because of the angle, they could be feeding, but they may not be. Also, most of the pics I've seen of pseudoscorpions hitching a ride on another arthropod show the pseudoscorpion hanging from a leg by one of their pincers. These pseudoscorpions seem a lot closer to the body than I thought was typical. But I really can't say either way from this angle. Both options seem equally likely. That is a tough call. I’ve read papers about pseudoscorpions using flies as means of transportation, and also about some pseudoscorpions that will actually team up to take down larger prey. according to my understanding, the ones that have the semi-social cooperative hunting habits use their chelicerae (mouthparts) to pierce the prey and suck out the juices. Since you can’t see the mouthparts in this picture because of the angle, they could be feeding, but they may not be. Also, most of the pics I’ve seen of pseudoscorpions hitching a ride on another arthropod show the pseudoscorpion hanging from a leg by one of their pincers. These pseudoscorpions seem a lot closer to the body than I thought was typical. But I really can’t say either way from this angle. Both options seem equally likely.

]]> http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-photos/when-pseudoscorpions-attack/comment-page-1/#comment-20664 Bentley Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:32:20 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=188#comment-20664 Interesting suggestion, Adam. I'm not sure which direction I'd lean (attack or transport). I think the use of flies as transport could be counterproductive since flies tend to land in all sorts of places other than compost heaps etc where pseudoscorpions would feel at home. Hmmm...hard to say for sure though. I've yet to meet a pseudoscorpion who's willing to talk! ;-) Interesting suggestion, Adam. I’m not sure which direction I’d lean (attack or transport). I think the use of flies as transport could be counterproductive since flies tend to land in all sorts of places other than compost heaps etc where pseudoscorpions would feel at home.
Hmmm…hard to say for sure though. I’ve yet to meet a pseudoscorpion who’s willing to talk!

]]> http://www.redwormcomposting.com/reader-photos/when-pseudoscorpions-attack/comment-page-1/#comment-20621 Adam Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:29:45 +0000 http://www.redwormcomposting.com/?p=188#comment-20621 I wonder if they really were attacking. It looks too large to be prey, and Pseudoscorpions are well known for their habit of using flies as mass transport. There can be more than 7 hanging on a fly. If I remember right, 13 or more. I bet they're really good to have around if the bed has mites. I wonder if they really were attacking. It looks too large to be prey, and Pseudoscorpions are well known for their habit of using flies as mass transport. There can be more than 7 hanging on a fly. If I remember right, 13 or more. I bet they’re really good to have around if the bed has mites.

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