Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the mouthparts and a stigma (tracheal opening, bright brown, left) of a moss mite (possibly family Damaeidae) from the Northern Black forest, Germany. This mite is covered in humus residue and bacteria, which it uses to camouflage itself. Most moss mites feed on fallen leaves and wood, which they can digest with the help of intestinal bacteria. Mites are important recyclers of organic waste in and on the soil. They live in the upper soil layer up to 5 cm (maximum 10 cm) soil depth. The density of individuals on one square meter of forest ground can be 20,000 to 50,000 animals. This would correspond to a live weight of 8 to 20 kg per hectare. Magnification: x1200 when printed at 15cm wide.