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Mites and ticks are among the most diverse and successful of all the invertebrate groups. They have exploited an incredible array of habitats and because of their small size (some are truly microscopic) most go totally unnoticed. Many live freely in the soil, but there is also a vast array of species that live as parasites on plants or animals. This SEM image of a Peacock mite shows an animal less than 0.5 mm long. Photo credit: Betsvill ARC USDA |