#parasitidae

a resting bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), while cute, is not an especially remarkable sight. but her calm demeanor might allow us to find something much sneakier

surprise, it's Parasitellus! this juvenile mite is harmless to the bee herself, but will hitch a ride back to her nest and feed on pollen there as it matures. if the colony has a pest problem though, such as other, more disruptive mites, this one will repay the favor to the bumblebees by preying on them. all in all, not the worst thing to find clinging to your thorax