Fast-running 'wheel mite' hunts insects in soil, harmless to people

In Aamulehti's nature column, Tomi Kumpulainen of the Tampere Natural History Museum identifies the creature seen by a reader as a fast-moving wheel mite. The reader had posted an image after ChatGPT suggested it might be a tick.

At first glance the mite looks odd and could be mistaken for a louse, but its body shape and leg count place it among mites and other arachnids rather than insects. Juveniles typically live as external parasites on insects, sucking bodily fluids, while adults become agile, running predators. Gardeners sometimes use them in biological pest control. The name "wheel mite" comes from their habit of switching direction rapidly while running. Kumpulainen says they pose no danger to people.

The museum has recently answered similar queries, identifying an earwig in Kissanmaa and a dragonfly found on a car in Tampere.