* Water mites scientific name is Hydrachna
* There are app. 220 species

* Water mites eat cladocerans, ostracods, and chironomid midge larvae by piercing the cuticle, digesting the soft parts, and sucking out the resulting juices.
* They have 8 or 6 legs and swimming hairs on many of their legs.
* They appear to be green, brown, red, and tarnish colors. Many have attractive marks in them.
* They live in ponds, ditches, rivers, streams, and water surfaces. Some swim actively on surface waters, but most move slowly over the bottom or on aquatic vegetation.