Unboxing GIANT MITES, FLUFFY WASPS and BOLTING SPIDERS! oh my ..

[@Sacrificial_Spaghetti]

Just saying that the Velvet ant "stings" is a huge understatement for a bug with one of the most painful stings on the planet.

[@mattias969]

Its not worse than any other wasp

[@BinroWasRight]

@@mattias969 Klug's velvet ant rates a 3 on the Schmidt sting pain index. And that man was stung by pretty much every Hymenopteran at some point, he'd know 🙂

[@Thomas-cc4dt]

Ok. Thanks for that input.

[@62873milehi420]

In Texas they call them Cow Killers

[@residualkarma]

I can say from experience that the sting is plenty painful

[@ej518]

Aww little raspberries ❤ they all need raspberry names. Tart, Jam, pie, lemonade, sherbert, cheesecake, muffin, smoothie, turnover, uh...beret..

[@amyesworldcatherinesminime7945]

lol "...beret"

[@lynnern57]

Beret for sure ❤

[@Thomas-cc4dt]

@@ej518 and dumplin'!

[@Fallenfromgrace1990]

Didn't have me thinking "mites are cute" on my 2024 bingo card. 😂

[@trala8911]

It’s really shaping up to be one of those years.

[@musafera]

@@trala8911yup

[@catpoke9557]

"my pet mites" is already a crazy phrase without the added context that these mites are, in fact, cute

[@derp_dragons]

Why are these mites so fluffy? Mites have no right to be this cute.

[@avanelletheclockfriend2515]

Ah, velvet ants. We get the larger species you had here in our yard a lot, and I distinctly remember when I was but a five year old little moron I once decided I wanted to be friends with the funny bug with the bright red butt. As you can imagine that ended poorly and now I have the honor of knowing what the third most painful insect sting feels like. Very interesting little bugs, just not the kind I’d recommend trying to hold. Appreciate their buggy glory from a distance or from behind a layer of glass or transparent plastic. Btw, they actually make noise like tiny death’s head hawkmoths, though it’s unlikely you’ll hear it under normal circumstances since it’s a defense mechanism I think. I rescued one from our pool a while back(using a leaf) and it was very, very squeaky about it.

[@gazepskotzs4]

It was thanking you!, i am sure.

[@nickschultz3259]

"Up next, rehousing all of my ticks and fleas"

[@gazepskotzs4]

😂😅😂

[@lur9017]

Lol!

[@ladyjinyxx]

My money is on leeches.

[@nickschultz3259]

@@ladyjinyxx Then months later: "I have bad news everyone, my lamprey Roscoe ate Bowser."

[@allie--oop]

Velvet mites and ants are so under appreciated, they're so lovely and cute. Maybe the velvet ants are a little less sweet haha but no less cute.

[@daniellelady27]

My son when he was 4 years old. He loves all things spiders, bugs, insects, etc. he picked up a velvet ant when I wasn't looking at it stung him. He learned really quickly to double check every before picking up. He is 5 years old now. He loves your channel and continues to love all things spiders, bugs, insects, etc.

[@autumnhaley6616]

I'm not gna lie, those mites had my skin crawling 😅 Not personally a fan of them. However, I thought, "If Kat makes a plushie out of one, I'm still totally getting it!" 😂 I love that you and others love them. I'm sure I'll come around to loving them in time too! 😁💜

[@DeepThought420]

Beetlejuice had me dying 😂😂😂

[@puppybreath87]

I absolutely love the new, fun and cute additions! Would absolutely love to see a cool community set up video!! ❤

[@TrulyMadlyAshley]

We get velvet ants in our yard and around our home every summer. They are so wild looking! I always just try to stay out of their way. 😂

[@tidalboxer]

Where are you living? I just posted that I’d see them as a kid. That was East TX in the 90s though.

[@TrulyMadlyAshley]

@@tidalboxerI’m in NE Florida!

[@tidalboxer]

@@TrulyMadlyAshley Oh wow. They get around. I was in East Texas. I remember seeing it and didn’t know what the heck it was.

[@amber893]

I definitely would love to have you do some videos on an ant/beetle/anything terrarium. I really wish your videos were longer. Kat, you have a great personality and sense of humor and just when i feel your video gets started, its over and im left wanting more time with you. I bet most people wish your videos were longer. I know you can't please everyone and you have your own wants and needs. So I guess I'm just putting my 2 cents in. Anyway you are one of the people who have influenced me to loosing my extreme fear of spiders. So thank you for that and your time. I appreciate you!

[@mandoholikerin]

the mites look incredibly cute but also giving me the ick cause it reminds me so much of ticks aaaah

[@nixiemoonflower]

All the new critters are amazing! Love the little raspberry crew.

[@GoldNargacuga]

Velvet ants are scary wasps. I got stung some years ago. Worse time ever.

[@tarantulakat]

sorry 😞 they are apparently very painful!!

[@GoldNargacuga]

​@@tarantulakatyes it is 😅. Sadly I have limited movement in the hand I got stung with so do be careful please.

[@ikb9386]

Never seen these cute mites! They are so colorful and fluffy I love them 😊

[@SareenMartens]

I like how you did the enclosures for your new creepy crawlers. Keep up the great work.

[@amgtarantulas]

I saw a velvet ant on the ground a few weeks ago! They are so furry and cute! Those are the cutest mites I have ever seen!

[@503menagerie3]

Velvet mites are so cool! Peter, Rus, and Clint are three of the coolest people out there!

[@tlp2123]

this mite be the best tarantula kat video so far ;)

[@pedrohenriquesilva3724]

I am fascinating about all kind of mites hahaha the main issue with velvet mites in general is that the larvae stage is ectoparasitic, mostly on arthropods, what makes hard to get new generations. You would need to rare not only the mite but also the host then guarantee everything goes smoothly. Thank you for sharing their cute side. My life goal is for more people realize it ✨

[@Midgardian-vj8rc]

I would love to see more of all of these buggies! Cool intro to animals I’ve never heard of.

[@ArtnBirdGuy]

Re: Velvet Mites - if those are the same species I've found in AZ, be careful keeping them communal. I've collected a bunch once and a few of them starting cannibalizing pretty fast.

[@happy.2172]

they look like little mr. crab 🦀🦀 ooohh soo cuuuttee ❤❤

[@BrettOPediaTV]

Before I knew what they were I used to touch velvet ants on the back because they make little angry buzz/squeak sounds 😂 They do NOT go out of their way to sting you or anything, and it's always a last resort with them.

[@TombHill]

I always thought velvet ants were solitary! I just learned something new.

[@bugtalk84]

Those velvet mites look so cute and gorgeous.

[@tidalboxer]

We had the really fuzzy “ants” in East TX when I was a kid. They’d walk on the ground, but I think they’re a form of wasp. They’d squeak angrily if you messed with them.

[@gangewifre]

Love your new murderous pom-poms and velvet-covered buttons.

[@EvgenyZyablikov]

Hello, tarantula kat! My respects 🔥

[@UnCreativeBeliever]

Those mites are super cute!

[@nerdiisage6032]

Nope those mites look like ticks and I’m terrified of ticks lol

[@Aquarimax]

Great unboxing! Peter is awesome, and I Dasymutilla klugii tends to be very active and visible. Would love to see you set up a desert communal with beetles and velvet ants! I hope they all thrive for you, and thank you for the shoutout!!

[@bolo_ants]

Hallo Russ. Could you please make a video on antlions? I’m considering them, but don’t have a good source of info as to how to keep them. Also your advice with zebra isopods really helped, so thank you! Lots of babies right now😀

[@Aquarimax]

@@bolo_ants As a kid, an ant lion or two long enough for them to pupate and then metamorphose, but since then, the few times I have tried, the ant lions did not make it past the pupal stage for some reason.not sure what I am missing. I am glad the isopod videos have helped, though!

[@bolo_ants]

@@Aquarimax oh well. I might try and keep one or two, and just see what happens. If I do, I’ll make yt vid on my experience. Thanks for responding anyways! Love your channel.

[@Lookadragon]

A communal enclosure would be sick! 😃

[@marat5617]

I saw those lil red fluff balls on Bugs In Cyberspace and fell in love with them!!! ❤

[@MamasGroove]

I didn’t even know one can see mites with the unaided eye!😮 And they are cute!💜

[@QuincyBeckner]

Just discovered your channel and I love it. You and the bugs are so cute.

[@anniecytn]

Have you ever done a tour of where/how all of your enclosures are kept, or explained why you haven't done one (kept in personal/private spaces/rooms etc). I'm always so curious how you keep soooo many babies in your home! This was a wild one, cheers ☺

[@samc1nonli]

You can call their enclosure raspberry farms ❤ so cute

[@JamieBreez]

Manchurean cup o noodles. Shrimp flavor please!

[@StaceyHerewegrowagain]

Oh my goodness girl. You are so brave living with all those crawlers lol

[@originalschlarf7808]

I know I should be focusing on the ants and mites but I love your sweater so much ❤😂

[@Erik-fn7kj]

Those velvet mites are gorgeous! I love watching you make the terrariums, it makes me wanna get a terrarium or two myself!

[@lololollololol629]

Ticks are horrible, worst arachnid out there... These mites are pretty cool though lol...

[@Erik-fn7kj]

@@lololollololol629 I meant velvet mites dohh I wrote this when I was very tired at 2 AM lol

[@Stef_T-G]

Those mites are sooooo cute! And the velvet ants!!! Got the cuteness 😍 I'll enjoy the exoterra beetle enclosure video for sure!!!

[@kateseph98]

I am so excited about the velvet ants!!

[@richardbriansmith8562]

Awesome Video Tarantula Kat🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂🙂

[@knoppie1988]

We have those big red mites everywhere in the netherlands

[@januk7725]

ooooh noooo, you're brave Kat!!!

[@garrettmancuso4417]

The local name here for velvet ants is "cow killer". I've unfortunately had one get in my sandal... they don't just pack an excruciating sting, they bite while stinging repeatedly.

[@dominiquedavis4866]

What do the mites eat??

[@user-animal464]

Wow, the ones I saw in Korea were as small as strawberry seeds, but these are huge. I would love to try raising them if they can grow that big.

[@ChelseaLane296]

Those ants are called cow killers where I live. Don’t see them super often but I’ve heard they sting worse than other bugs

[@noradinneen1]

Beautiful & interesting critters!

[@christielynn4342]

Definitely awesome and fun/adorable critters!! Love them. Very cool kat!!

[@jadesavagegrimm]

From Tarantuala Kat to Mite-y Kat..😂😂 they are super adorable 🖤🖤

[@thegreatinvertebrate]

🖤🖤 I've been stalking the velvet ants for a while but OMG the fluffy mites!!!

[@gregwilliams853]

Be very careful with those velvet ants, there actually a wingless wasp and have a very potent sting. I know from experience 😂😂

[@amyesworldcatherinesminime7945]

Aww a parcel of plushie goodness. I saw a Giant Red Velvet mite whilst walking through a wood in central England a few years ago. Stood out like a neon light amongst the green undergrowth. Never thought I'd see them as pets - cool 😍

[@franzsperginand113]

I've always wanted some of these.

[@melanielangham7033]

velvet ants are actually wasps, and so pretty. But they look terrifying.

[@pattykochenower4222]

They are ! Those little fuzzy buns lol , love the mites, so cute .

[@Raniphae]

yeah! I was surprised an arthropod fan like Kat didn’t know that about velvet ants! they’re gorgeous, though, and I’m excited to get updates on them. c:

[@melanielangham7033]

@@Raniphae I think she mentioned it in the video after I commented.

[@tammysellers3089]

AWESOME VIDEO! I loved all the new bug (?) friends. I'm definitely looking forward to updates on all the new additions.

[@MeNameJaef]

Velvet Ant - AKA the Cow Killer!

[@leslieelkins6051]

Those are adorable! What do velvet mites eat? Ive never seen any one keep mites as pets

[@Lynn-ev6pv]

I remember being a child a picking up the cute fuzzy bug outside. I learned real quick how painful those stings are 😂😂 but it comes with the territory of being an outside feral child

[@Lsurah]

we had the solid red velvet ants (with black legs) in Tx. they called them cow killers because of the sting, and I remember them being somewhat indestructible if you stepped on them! the mites are oddly adorable, little wilted raspberries!

[@Alicewatcheseverything]

I love all these guys, especially the mites. How cute!

[@hoibsh21]

I can see it now, Thee Mighty Mites !!

[@caughtafaygo]

Velvet ants are dope, cool cid thanks!

[@gamingwithcolette]

I just got a bold jumper a while ago and it layed an egg sac. The babies hatched and I just put fruit flies into their container today. Any recommendations on what I can do?

[@reptigod]

Beginning of video: who the eff would keep mites! Me 5 mins into video: where the eff do I get mites!

[@ScubaX29]

Peter just writing "stings!" on the container for the velvet ants was hilarious. It made it look like he was excited that he sent you something that stings (really bad). Lol

[@tonydeluna8095]

I really enjoy you unwrapping these beautiful creatures Kat! They are all adorable!

[@janisjimenez6846]

I just saw a bunch of those mites in the desert I wish I can keep them 😱 🌵 🐞

[@andrewbotha5673]

the cow killers

[@amby1720]

I recently found your channel and I'm obsessed! I've been going through and watching all your old videos, so I'm happy to catch a new one early. And I love all these fuzzy new additions 💛

[@BinroWasRight]

You are taking unconventional invertebrates to the next level. Those mites are, despite being terribly alien, VERY cute! And yeah, watch out on the velvet ant stings, those wasps pack a WALLOP!

[@Capra1]

Where do you purchase giant mites because I need them

[@atricewarner5705]

I got a Brachypelma boehmei as my first Tarantula today.

[@donnarandolph2369]

What would be the best spider to get for my frist spider and what would i need to house it in and decor for it

[@pixiehopper8]

Are those red mites the large version of the tiny red ones I always see outside? Like you said, I always see more when it rains.

[@mariestubbs4606]

Great vid Kat ...

[@PinkyJax]

oh my!!! my soon seen this and now he is wanting to get mites. lol. off to the cyberspace i go! lol

[@redplague76]

Found a Velvet Ant when I was a kid. Put it in a jar and took it to school for show and tell. Played with it for hours before it decided it had enough and stung me….I got to go home early that day.

[@DoorsToHideBehind156]

Aren't these the cutest mites you've ever seen? Well yes, because I didn't know mites could even be cute. I thought they were all microscopic or the size of a period dot. I giess it makes sense there would be several species of mites in the world but I've never heard of these let alone knew you could keep them as pets. They remind me of little lady bugs.

[@GregoriaDejesus-he3vv]

They also have different color velvet ants I seen one that are black and white and they call them panda velvet ants they are so cool.

[@Bookwormqueen96]

That was such an interesting unboxing 😍

[@EKaye-ht6hx]

Sorry completely unrelated but could you do like a tour of the areas where you keep all your pets? 😊

[@spidersNsquirrels]

I was just gunna say that lol

[@lololollololol629]

I'm pretty sure velvet ants are also called cow killer ants.. They are pretty cool looking, don't have them where I live though lol..

[@JH-lz4dh]

I tried to keep the big velvet mites from the east coast but they only made it about a month then died 😢 they supposedly eat springtails but I never saw them eating any despite giving them plenty

[@DelRae]

I’d like to say I’ve held a velvet ant once with my bare hands not realizing how incredibly painful they could sting. It let me handle it just because I scooped it up from the gravel and never squished it and it’s so damn cute to look at. Not aggressive at all, they’re pretty Blaise fare since they know things don’t wanna fuck with them.

[@johnproctor6438]

Velvet ants are soooo mean!

[@cristiaolson7327]

Thank goodness I already had learned that velvet ants were a type of wasp and knew better than to touch it the first time I encountered one, because they reportertedly pack a wallop. We have a smaller species here in California than your big girl there, but I've heard people call them "cow killers" on account of how much they hurt if you get the business end of one. Fortunately they're not insanely fast, nor exceptionally aggressive. Very cool little insects though.

[@daijme]

I like this channel, I can watch my phobias in safety

[@SpooderGirl89]

SAND FOR THE TEXTURE 😂❤

[@lizardbeans8151]

I bought velvet mites from him as well!! Probably at the same time lol

[@ghostbombl8034]

The small tinyvred mights and some other might are known in rare cases to hide in people eyelashes pores and come out at night.

[@chesneymigl4538]

Velvet ants are one of the creatures I actively get out of the way of. They are up there with army ants!

[@19trixy]

We have Red Velvets here (East TN) in the wild. I've mostly heard them called "Cow Killers". They got the nickname because of how painful their sting is. (They def can't kill a cow though lmao) I used to be a very outdoorsy person when I was younger. I think I've only ever come across them 3 times. Once In my own front yard.

[@ChantalsCritters]

Great video