Bulb Mite - Rhizoglyphus echinopus

Rhizoglyphus mites are supposedly quite large when compared to other mites, as in they are about 1/30 in. The mite in this photo was less than a mm long and merely looked like a tiny, white speck. I was only able to extract it from the turnip because I did so under the microscope and with very fine, scientific forceps. It looked like a whitish, translucent blob with reddish legs. In fact, I first mistook it for an egg...until it started to move.

I'm not sure which life stage this particular mite is in. Rhizoglyphus mites undergo 5-6 stages.

Bulb mites, such as Rhizoglyphus echinopus, cause damage to plants and vegetables. They concentrate on plants that are damaged or starting to decay. And, once infested with bulb mites, the bulb/vegetable may rot, be off-color, stunted, or distorted.

Habitat: Turnip (Brassica rapa subsp. rapa). I bought this turnip from the grocery store. I was excited to see the damage to it and hoped the critter(s) were still inside. And, they were!

*I kept the mites/turnip so that I can try to get better shots, if possible. I'll also be seeking confirmation of my ID, although I'm confident that it is at least Rhizoglyphus sp., but very likely Rhizoglyphus echinopus according to the key that I used.