Skin Track Bug

Anybody know what this bug is and why they're attracted to skin tracks? Never seem to see them anyplace else.

yup... those are Maximus Angorius Sanguineous, otherwise known as the Large Angora Tick. Angora Ticks are a parasite that lay their eggs in the hair of Angora Goats. Mohair skins are made from Angora goat hair and the very small eggs (microscopic) often remain on Mohair skins even through the manufacturing process. The eggs can remain dormant for up to 4 years. While skinning, eggs often release and drop into the skin track. With the right temperature and conditions, the dormant but fertallized eggs hatch and the have a very quick gestation period. They can grow to the size you see in skin tracks very quickly and tend to wander skin tracks until they die off as there usually aren't any hosts palatable to these insects. They do not host on humans or dogs just Angora goats.

That looks like a "rock crawler" aka "ice crawler" aka Grylloblatta spp. Discovered in Canada in 1911 the occur almost exclusively on mountains >500 m high, especially on snowfields and glaciers where they feed on other insects in the snow and ice (blown in by wind). You see the only in skin because you probably spend most your time looking down when you are looking at the skin track.

I like blitz's answer better.

I really hope Blizz's answer is made up, because it would be SO GOOD for a pull of the leg post:) It's sort of sad thinking of these guys roaming the skintrack looking for some goat fur to nestle into.

I just checked the calendar. The first reply is exactly eight days early. So clever... The Onion needs you!

Bruce

I like blitz's answer better.

That's becuz you're an 'merican; science sucks; satire rules; and global warming is a hoax; moon walkers were actually in AZ; LOL

That's becuz you're an 'merican; science sucks; satire rules; and global warming is a hoax; moon walkers were actually in AZ; LOL

Too true to be LOL. What's the (texting shortcut) equivalent of "it makes me want to cry" or "it makes me want to throw up"?

I really hope Blizz's answer is made up, because it would be SO GOOD for a pull of the leg post...

I thought ticks had eight legs, so at least a couple legs have been pulled    :

Andrew had a good guess, but I'm pretty certain these are genus Chionea, commonly known as snow flies. They're closely related to crane flies but are wingless. Grylloblattodea sp. eat them apparently.

Andrew had a good guess, but I'm pretty certain these are genus Chionea, commonly known as snow flies. They're closely related to crane flies but are wingless. Grylloblattodea sp. eat them apparently. 

Any more info on Chionea? Not doubting your diagnosis but not much showed up on Google--but what did supports your suggestion.