Do Acari Molt? Investigating the Red Velvet Mite

[fluidistic]

I am wondering whether acari moult. For instance the Red Velvet mite. The few information that I've gathered so far is that "all arthropods molt", which seems to imply that all acari do molt.
And that "most arthropods moult" which is totally different from what I had started to read. Asking this question directly to google did not return an all cooked answer.
Thank you for any "trustable" information.

P.S.:Now that I've read that spiders molt, I remember having saw a cellar spider exoskeleton. And I've taken a photo of a loxosceles (laeta I think) exoskeleton. Previously I thought they were dead spiders, but now I know they were quite likely exoskeleton resulting from moulting.

 

[Simon Bridge]

Where did you see "most arthropods molt"?
Do they provide examples of arthropods which do not molt?

I think you'll have better luck with "ecdysis" as a search term.
i.e. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1463-6409.1994.tb00383.x/abstract

 

[fluidistic]

Where did you see "most arthropods molt"?
Do they provide examples of arthropods which do not molt?

I think you'll have better luck with "ecdysis" as a search term.
i.e. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1463-6409.1994.tb00383.x/abstract

Thank you, I will investigate with this term.
I found that information at http://sgmacro.blogspot.com.ar/2013/07/moulting-natural-wonder.html , first paragraph. A Velvet Mite appears at the bottom of the page, but without any information on moulting.

 

[Simon Bridge]

Oh OK - the author is a photographer rather than an entero... emptyo... bug-person, so was probably just hedging his bets. Still - now you mention it, I don't actually know for definite and I can think of other ways a shelled creature could grow without shedding the whole exoskeleton in one go.

 

[LudusRex]

Dear reader,

Thank you for your inquiry about the molting process of acari, specifically the Red Velvet mite. I am happy to provide you with some reliable information on this topic.

Firstly, let me clarify that acari are a type of arthropod, which is a diverse group of invertebrates that includes insects, spiders, and crustaceans. As you have correctly stated, all arthropods molt, which means they shed their outer exoskeleton as they grow and develop. This process is necessary for them to increase in size and to replace damaged or worn-out body parts.

Now, let's focus on the Red Velvet mite. These mites are a type of acari, specifically belonging to the family Trombidiidae. The molting process of Red Velvet mites is similar to other arthropods, where they shed their exoskeleton in order to grow and develop. However, the frequency of molting can vary depending on environmental conditions and the specific species of Red Velvet mite.

Some sources may state that "most arthropods molt" because there are a few exceptions to this process, such as some parasitic species that do not have a traditional molting process. However, this does not apply to the majority of arthropods, including acari.

In conclusion, yes, acari do molt, and this includes the Red Velvet mite. I hope this information has helped to clarify your doubts. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to ask.

Best regards,