Last night I discovered my largest E. javanica female dead. Next to her on a dead moist leaf already congregating were some white mites. I considered these to be harmless because there weren't too many and they didn't seem to be a pest. I have these in some of my other colonies as well. I assume they came from the dead leaves that I include as part of their substrate. I was really bummed as I only had three pairs of these and they are already one of my favorites. I still think it is probably due to old age and nothing to do with the mites. Either way I am going to change the substrate tonight. Anyone else have any insights. The temps during a 24 hour period were ranging from 68-93 dgs. natural variation in that room, moisture the same as always, the only difference was the type of dogfood I have been feeding them, if this were the case I would have deaths in my other colonies. Any thoughts or advice. Thanks.
Hans
Hans