• Tyuonyi Pueblo and Big Kiva from Frey Trail

    Bandelier

    National Monument New Mexico

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  • Access by Shuttle Bus Only

    Starting May 24, 2013 all access to the most visited part of the park, Frijoles Canyon, will be via a mandatory shuttle bus from the nearby community of White Rock from 9 AM - 3 PM daily. Private cars may drive in before 9 AM or after 3 PM. More »

A Symbiotic Relationship - Carrion Beetles and Mites

carrion beetle with mites

photo by sally king

Carrion beetles and individuals of some species of mites can have a symbiotic relationship. Each derives a benefit from the other. The mites climb aboard the carrion beetle to be transported to new food supplies they could never reach by foot. The mites in turn eat the eggs and freshly hatched maggots of flies that compete with beetle larvae for the food source. Therefore, a mite-laden beetle is more likely to have offspring that survive.
 
carrion beetle with mites 2
Mites ride on carrion beetles to get to their next meal.
photo by sally king

Did You Know?

Aspen fall color

All the aspens in a cluster will change colors at approximately the same time.  That's because in a grouping of aspens, most are clones that grew as root sprouts from the original plant.