March 25, 2020
The S. Yellow Jacket was the second to have a pitcher open. I didn’t spot any mites on the lip of the pitcher. There are a few mites already colonizing the new pitcher. Check out the one around 2:45 minutes. Also, I spotted a new mite around 4:40 minutes. It has very dark spots along it's back end. I don't think I've seen that before.
I also caught a glimpse of a red mite to the right of the peristome. I tried to track it with the camera, but they are fast little guys and I didn’t get a decent video of it. I have seen red mites before. They are predators of other mites. I think it was here to eat the pitcher mites.
It's been a week and the trap still has no liquid in it. It hasn't rained much since it opened. There appears to be a fraction of a ml in the bottom, but that's about it. The ants have taken a interest in it, though. Several are investigating the lip of the pitcher.
April 6, 2020
The ants have arrived! It had rained and filled up the first opened pitcher. A dozen ants are here for a swim. Unfortunately for them, an army of blobby mites awaits them underwater.
.
For more opening day info: https://drmayhem12.wixsite.com/insidepitcherplants/blog/categories/opening-day