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Harvestman with erythraeid mites

(For a general description of harvestmen, see TQ9059 : Guarding the blackberries.)

This one was lurking in the space between two willow leaves. The bright scarlet blobs that can be seen attached to it are parasites; they are the larval stage of erythraeid mites.

It may seem strange that something on the scale of a harvestman should be afflicted with mites, but this is quite a common association; in fact, mites are common parasites on various kinds of arthropod (including insects, spiders, and harvestmen). The larvae will later drop off of their own accord; as adults, they are predatory, hunting various kinds of insect.