nn iepreeanees rarer We Meee Sire ~ Oe ed ‘ne ate: ‘ oe >. * ae ae, Wee oo es 2% ‘ : } : 7 PG ‘ ; ¥ y P \, ny uP » ¥ r ' ; #, : z f y i A Gl? gf, y } 4 ” 4 Bee PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON VOLUME 53 OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1951 Honorary President = Bes Ce OG eee Se ele NEAR ISAT TEAR ESHVOHG/ RS eek OM Se et Ltd A A ce Re OO: a ee re oe Ae ALAN STONE PTS ia gLC CCE RES COGN tare) eee eles he) Pe ye ee ee Se PauL W. OMAN ECON GMIMCOMET CSTOCTUG Lt a ke tee eee ee ee are Stee W. DoyLe REED JERODI ROMINA ED ISLET TRL oa ade OE Sp a Ca dvs ee Epona ts aA ge ag KeELLIE O’NEILL COTECSDONGIIUG (SGC LOY ae eee ee ee RALPH W. SHERMAN SETA EUAIIRG PE seit See aor cat A Witla ZAM ett Ts BRE Se TEL TE RoserT N. NELSON LOR UOSp ah 5 I i one USNR ae A eel PW a A Karu V. KROMBEIN (NT STEOXCING TE SEE SRE AOE OL, ROI Di A> BEEN [os = Seaealey UR eee ER H®LEN SOLLERS Executive Committee E. H. Siecuer, T. E. SnypErR, W. B. Woop Nominated to represent the Society as Vice President of the WiGSMINGLGl eACademy Of SS ClENGeSses wen rs ee se eee F. W. Poos PUBLISHED BY THE SOcCIET WASHINGTON, D. C. 1951 ii PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 53, NO. 6, DECEMBER, 1951 TABLE OF CONTENTS VOLUME 53 Barposa, F. A. Stores: A Change of Specific Name in the Genus Culicouies, (Oipteras celeleidae) se ee re eee Baker, Epwarp W., and ASHLEY B. GuRNEY: Henry Ellsworth OAT OY | Rese tse ee ee ee ee Bick, GrorGe H.: The Nymph of Libellula semifasciata Burmeister (Odonata: Tinbellwlidae))) 22 ee ee ee eT BIGHAM, JOHN T.: (See Dow et al.) BuakE, Doris H.: Synonymies and New Species of Flea-beetles (Coleoptera, ‘Chrysomelidae) sss = ae eee Sere es Soy Byars, L. F.: A New phate | growing Ant from Arizona (Hymen- Optepas eeOrmMici dae) 4.22 a ee CARPENTER, STANLEY J.: (See GALINDO et al.) CLARK, AusTIN H.: Butterflies of the Marshall Islands | {IEDR ec A CI ORNS DU AE Sonnet MN aS DopGr, Harontp R.: The Occurrence of Certain Palaearctic Species of Muscoid Diptera in the United States__...________...___ Dow, Ricuarp P., Jonn T. BiGHAM and CurTIS W. SABROSKy: Se- quel to ‘‘Hippelates (Eye Gnat) Investigations in the South- eastern States’’ by John T. Bigham (Diptera, Chloropidae) DrRAkk&, CARL J.: New Water-striders from Insular America (Hemip- Vena Melt aAe) seen ee conde eee Do Ee ee SS Eaps, R. B., and B. G. HighrowrrR: A New Neoichoronyssus from the Pack Rat, Neotoma micropus (Acarina, Laelaptidae) (See also MENZIES et al.) EDMUNDS, GEORGE F., Jr.: New Species of Utah Mayflies. I. Olig- oneumidae (Ephemeroptera) 2= eee FENDER, KENNETH M.: A New Species of Acneus (Coleoptera, Das- CCHIT (0 KE1(C)) 9 Poe Reet Oe mee Rn MARTA EE WE Rr oo NMC Re EDEL SN FRANCLEMONT, JOHN G.: The Species of the Leucania unipuncta Group, with a Discussion of the Generic Names for the Various Segregates of Leucania in North America (Lepidoptera, Pha- laenidae, Hadeninae) __... Cal isis 2 Rees Se GAHAN, A. B., Louise M. RussELL and CArL H. HEINRICH: James Chambetlam! Crawford \ 2... ee eee (See also MUESEBECK et al.) GALINDO, PEDRO, STANLEY J. CARPENTER and HaARroLp TRAPIDO: De- scriptions of Two New Species of Wyeomyia and the Male of Sabethes tarsopus Dyar and Knab (Diptera, Culicidae) — ——_ —____________——;: West- ward Extension of the Range of Haemagogus spegazzinti falco Kumm et al. into Costa Rica (Diptera, Culicidae) GurRNby, ASHLEY B.: The Nesting Habits of Mimesa (Mimumesa) nigra (Packard) (Hymenoptera, Sphecidae) -—_—_______———-: (See BAkrr) 163 147 247 138 109 43 341 263 338 327 271 57 107 86 PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 53, NO. 6, DECEMBER, 1951 lll HEINRICH, Cart H.: (See GAHAN et al.) HicHTower, B. G.: (See EAps, and MENZIEs et al.) Hoyt, A. S. and W. H. WuirE: Perey Nicol Annand____________.. Sir a Hucxkert, H. C.: The setiventris-complex in the Genus Hylemya Rob. Desv., with Descriptions of New Bue and Subspecies from North Aanenicam Gop terd se ViuSerd ae) eee et ee eo James, Maurice T.: The Stratiomyidae of Alaska (Diptera) 342 Komp, WiuiiAm H. W. and Luoyp E. Rozesoom: Descriptions of Hight New Species of Culex Subgenus Melanoconion eters: (CAUTEGrio INE) Sa oe ee A eee ee Sat Aerie nes Eee Musa, 72 KROMBEIN, Kart V.: (See MUESEBECK et al.) LANE, J.: Synonymy of Neotropical Culicidae (Diptera) SRS OS La Rivers, Ira: Two New Ambrysi from South America (Hemiptera, DNTEWUL GOTCHA) ae Ava a 2 eh ee ee te SP ae te Cae 288 LASSMANN, GUENTHER W.: Psorophora (Janthinosoma) totonaci, a New Species from Mexico (Diptera, Culicidae) 2 84 McATsrs, W. L. and J. S. WapE: Raymond Corbett Shannon —....._._. 211 Menziss, G. C., R. B. Eaps and B. G. Higurower: List of Anoplura aTROLTY Rain Sati ee seve Nc a ee Se I ee Jee sa st ET ek COME Pe 150 MuESEBECK, C. F. W., KARL V. KROMBEIN and HENRY TOWNES: Date of Publication, Synoptic Catalog of North American Hymenop- LCG) 2 aoe ee eA Ras beer) Ni aol 3 else Say UCSE eet alee ee De a 232 , A. B. GAHAN and E. R. Sasscrer: Sievert Allen BEC ONIN Wie Tape ase eae eee Ne, IN) 3h ney fr eel Gee ee ue hi oy EPR a Rn a arlNs 227 ONISHI, Korcu1: (See REES) PARKER, HArry L.: Notes on Pyenocephalus argentinus Brethes, Parasitic on Ceroplastes sp. in Uruguay (Coleoptera, Cyboce- poLoveulhie eie)) eae ee RA Oe Rao, V. PRABHAKER: Synonymy of Semelaspidus artocarpi (Green) GElomMOpterarh | COCCIO Ae) vse ee ese Fa SE eee ee ee 261 Rees, Don M. and Koicur OnisHI: Morphology of the Terminalia and Internal Reproductive Organs, and Copulation in the Mos- quito, Culiseta inornata (Williston) (Diptera, Culicidae) 233 RozEsoom, Luoyp E.: (See Komp) Russet, Louise M. (See GAHAN et al.) Saprosky, Curtis W.: Transfer of Genus from Otitidae to Chloro- revtd.coi zy (CDE Ch pe) oi Jey am een en leu Wi EN DURES Eee tea uaa CY 49 : Correction on Acaulona peruviana Townsend GDinteraaanyaevoridae)) fesse ot ee ee Bi, Sets? 210 : (See also Dow et al.) Samer, R. I.: The Status of Thyanta accera McAtee (Hemiptera, EMD ALO MIC GN) ewe ately et ot a oS NOE ee Se ace i Cea 42 : The Biting Snipe Fly in Alaska (Diptera, Rhagioni- lv PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 53, NO. 6, DECEMBER, 1951 SANDERSON, Mimron W.: A New Record and Two New Species of North American Hispinae (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) — 160 Sasscer, E. R.: (See MUESEBECK et al.) SHAW, FRANK R.: Some New Species of Western Mycetophilidae (CUD iy oh c( oo 2) ) PI eS aA Noel OR ad Jeet Be nana ML lee Sy EMT PM 5) SmirH, Marion R.: A New Species of Stenamma from m North Caro- lina (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) — ete Pee, 156 STEYSKAL, Grorae C.: A New Species of Tinea us from Ontario CDrpperas>stratiomyldae)\ cq. 2 Set 2 a ee ee 273 Sronn, ALAN: The Rhagoletis of Roses (Diptera, Tephritidae) 45 DE LA ToRRB y CALLEJAS, SALVADOR Luis: A New Butterfly from Guba ~(uepidoptera,y, Nymphalidae) <2 8 ts ee eee 336 TOWNES, Henry and MARvgorIE TOwNES: A Revision of the Genera and of the North American Species of Grypocentrini (Hymenop- (isin lA Lelong ro aavay ante Fe\=)))* ee SS We ee peers Ue Fal 301 (See also MUESEBECK et al.) TRAPIDO, HAROLD: (See GALINDO et al.) Traus, Roperr: Hoogstraalia turdella, a New Genus and Species of Flea from the Philippines ieee Pygiopsyllidae, Pygio- _ ORINOCO) take ea Te eR See EN eee eee 97 TrAvER, JAY R.: Unusual Sealp Dermatitis in Humans Caused by the Mite, Dermatophagoides (Acarina, Epidermoptidae) —.._ 1 Wane, J. S.: (See McATEE) Wetp, Lewis H.: New Eucoilinae (Hymenoptera, Cynipoidea) ____. 223 WHEELER, GEORGE C. and JEANNETTE WHEELER: The Ant Larvae of the Subfamily Dolichoderinae (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) 169 Wuirtr, W. H.: (See Hoyt) Wirth, Wins W.: The Genus Probezzia in North America (Dip- Henan helenae). 2s oe ee ee ee ee 25 : A New Biting Midge of the Genus Leptoconops from Florida, with New Records of Other American Species (Dinter) -eHeleidae) Oso Nas ee ee 281 —__—_____________; New Species and Records of Virginia Heleidae CUD aber teh aes ak LEE 313 ACTUAL DATES OF PUBLICATION VOLUME 53 Number 1—pages 1-56 inclusive ____-__-----.-.-.------------.--.-- February 22, 1951 Number 2—pages 57-120 inclusive __________------_---_. pee Soe ee April 12, 1951 Number 3—pages 121-168 inclusive —_---....-....!_____. [aren ae June 15, 1951 Number 69-232" 1nChustivie wet ee ee anes August 28, 1951 Number 5 233-30 0) In CUISIVe wt week eee eee October 26, 1951 Number 6—pages 301-348 inclusive —__.=--...------- December 28, 1951 Vine (Ou i VOL. 53 FEBRUARY, 1951 No. 1 PROCEEDINGS. tees of the U.S. NATL. MUS? ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON PUBLISHED BIMONTHLY BEGINNING WITH FEBRUARY BY THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON U. 8S. NATIONAL MUSEUM WASHINGTON 235, D. C. Entered as second-class matter March 10, 1919, at the Post Office at Washington, D. C., under Act of August 24, 1912. Accepted for mailing at the special rate of postage provided for in Section 11038, Act of October 3, 1917, authorized July 3, 1918. THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON ORGANIZED MarcH 12, 1884. The regular meetings of the Society are held in the National Museum on the first Thursday of each month, from October to June, inclusive, at 8 P.M. Anuual dues for members are $4.00, initiation fee $1.00 (U. 8. curren- cy). Members are entitled to the Proceedings and any manuscript sub- mitted by them is given precedence over any submitted by non-members. OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1951 CHERRIES EO ee AA nee Trivat Vireo Erondents 00s PAU Wee Second Vice Presidert —-_______.___.___._._____ W. DOYLE REED SREROVAUIID NCCT CLOT cece ct a GEoRGE B. VocT Corresponding Secretary _.____._______-___.___ RALPH _W. SHERMAN PEE CARVRere Peariee i ca. trek NE We Ph Ly ..ROBERT H. NELSON RMR es ee ARE POTN ee ee Executive Committee E. H. 8ieeirer, T. E. Snyper, W. B. Woop Nominated to represent the Society as Vice President of the Washington Academy of Sciences __..______.._______F.. W.. Poos PROCEEDINGS ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON Published bimonthly beginning with February by the Society at Washington, D. C. .Terms of Subscription: $4.50 per annum, both domestic and foreign, payable in advance (U.S. currency). Remittances should be made payable to the Entomological Society of Washington. The Society does not exchange its publications for those of other societies. 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All manuscripts should be sent to the Editor, care Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine, Washington 25, D. C. The Corresponding Secretary, Custodian and Treasurer should be addressed similarly. eee ie PROCEEDINGS OF THE ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF WASHINGTON VOL. 53 FEBRUARY, 1951 No. 1 UNUSUAL SCALP DERMATITIS IN HUMANS CAUSED BY THE MITE, DERMATOPHAGOIDES (ACARINA, EPIDERMOPTIDAE) By JAy R. TrAver, Department of Zoology, University of Massachusetts, Amherst The writer and two other members of her immediate family, all of us adult females, have been for the past several years the unwilling hosts to the mite, Dermatophagoides schereme- tewskyi Bogdanow. Since the published reports on this mite as a parasite of humans are not numerous, it seems desirable to present an account of the activities of the mite from first- hand information. Symptoms, treatment employed in the at- tempt to control or eradicate the mite, reaction of certain members of the medical profession to this problem, and the present status of the situation are therefore set forth. It is to Dr. Edward W. Baker of the Division of Insect Identification, Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quarantine, Washington, D. C., that we owe the identification of this mite, and the synonymy herewith presented. It is to him also that the writer owes her contact with Dr. Gaines W. Eddy of the sare Bureau in Washington, who has suggested the use of certain new synthetic organic compounds as scabicides in the treatment of this mite. Had it not been for Dr. Baker’s interest in this problem, expressed in personal correspondence, it is quite possible that no attempt would have been made to publish this personal account of an infestation with the mite Dermatophagoides. PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS OF THe ACTIVITY OF THE MITE Small itching red papules on the scalp were noted as early as 1934. This condition persisted without much change in spite of sporadic efforts to control it, until the spring and early summer of 1943. At this time, the sensations as of some arthropod crawling. scratching and biting became very pronounced, and occurred over wide areas of the scalp. The idea that Pediculus humanus capitis might be the causative agent was not borne out since at no time was it possible to ‘comb out’ a louse nor to locate nits on the hairs. Further, the infestation did not yield to treatment known to be effec- tive against pediculosis. The itching and crawling sensa- tions were most pronounced between about 10 p.m. and the early hours of the morning. 2 PROG. ENT, SOC. WASH., VOL. 53, NO. 1, FEBRUARY, 1951 By the middle of August, 1943, the annoyance had become excessive and more strenuous efforts were made to clear up the infestation and to locate the causative agent. Three areas of the scalp were principally involved, a space as large as the palm of the hand above and behind each ear, and an even larger area on the top of the head in the frontal region. The sensations as of something biting, scratching and crawling from place to place were now almost continuous, becoming apparent as early as 10 a.m. and continuing all day and far into the night, increasing in intensity from 11 p.m. onward. Sound sleep was quite impossible. The principal areas in- volved were also painful and swollen, and as was discovered later, the epidermis over each of them was extremely thicken- ed. On the suggestion of a druggist, a soap containing 1% mercuric iodide was employed as a shampoo. This seemed to irritate the mites, which became very active after the use of this soap. Many of them began to move down out of the scalp, and some of the thickened epidermis began to slough off. Those that continued down on to the body soon became em- bedded in itching red papules reminiscent of trombiculid in- festations. Treated with strong sulphur ointment they ap- parently did no further damage. They could be found on the shoulders, under the arms, beneath the breasts, on chest and both upper and lower back, occasionally around the umbilicus. The sensations of crawling and biting which were felt on legs and feet, in the latter case often on but seldom between the toes, indicated that some of the mites had migrated to the lower extremities. Others of the mites, however, moved down on to the face, invading eyes, ears and nostrils. It was the mites in these locations that did the most damage. Both eyes became so badly swollen that it was impossible to move the eyeballs; to look to right or left it was necessary to move the entire head. Invasion of the eyes was-not confined to the period immedi- ately following the use of the mercuric iodide soap, but con- tinued for many days thereafter, this invasion occurring mostly between midnight and 3 a.m. The victim of their at- tack would have fallen into a light sleep, when a sharp pin- prick-like sensation in one eye, followed by an immediate re- sponse on the part of the already badly swollen eye would drive sleep away quite effectively. The movements of a mite that had entered under the eyelid could be felt as it crawled slowly about, then began to ‘‘dig in’’ at which moment the eye suddenly became even more swollen than before. An almost continuous flow of lachrymal secretion seemed to at- tract the mites and made vision difficult. At no time, how- ever, was there evidence of the formation of pus in the affected eyes. PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 53, NO. 1, FEBRUARY, 1951 3 Invasion of the nostrils produced quite distressing symp- toms, as of something crawling and scratching in the mucus membrane; often this was accompanied by a distinct irrita- tion of throat, trachea and bronchi. Early invasions of the ears seemed confined to the region of the pinna, in the folds of which the mites burrowed, producing the usual itching red papules. Their presence in the ears was the cause of some concern on my part, as it is well known that certain species of mites may cause great damage in the ears of small mam- mals. Apparently we may consider ourselves most fortunate that this particular mite did not choose to invade the external auditory meatus, from which location it might easily have pierced the eardrum. The difficulty of controlling such an infestation in the ear, had it occurred, is at once apparent, since as yet we have found no drug that is completely effec- tive against the mites. Even had such a drug been known, its use in the ears might have been inadvisable. Unfortunately for humans, medical doctors are much less versed in dealing with such situations than are the veterinarians who care for our dogs and eats. In addition to the trouble caused directly by the mites a certain amount of allergic reaction and probably also of secondary bacterial or fungicidal reaction were also present. It is difficult if not impossible to determine how much addi- tional injury and discomfort may have resulted from these secondary infections. The most acute phase of the infestation yielded to control measures within six weeks. Henceforth, the symptoms pre- viously mentioned became less severe and somewhat chronic, exhibiting an increase in activity more or less periodically every two and one-half to three months. This condition has continued up to the present time. Even this summer (1950), live mites have been taken from all three members of the family. July and August are their periods of greatest activity. In spite of my optimism in regard to the limited activity of those mites that invaded the ears, there is still a question as to whether or not the difficulty I am now having with my ears, and the rather sudden onset of deafness on the part of the other infested members of my family, may have been aggravated at least by the presence of the mites. Likewise, I wonder if the chronic sinusitis to which I have been heir for some time may also have been increased by those mites which entered the nostrils. The much-thickened epidermis had sloughed off from the three most heavily infested areas of the scalp before the end of the period of acute symptoms, and since that time no such unusual thickening in these or other parts of the body has 4 PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 53, NO. 1, FEBRUARY, 1951 been noted. Itching red papules continue to occur irregular- ly on the scalp, the pinna of the ears, on the face, and occasion- ally on neck, chest and back. Such areas frequently become covered with small incrustations. The mites succeeded in establishing themselves temporarily on one wrist, between the third and fourth finger of one hand, just below one ear, on the ventral surface of one knee, and just below the hair line above the left temple. Applications of 2 to 5% aqueous solution of gentian violet to each of these affected areas except the one above the temple, repeated daily for a week or ten days, finally cleared up each of these sites of infestation, some of which were reminiscent of the behavior of Sarcoptes scabiei. The network of red lines and itching swellings above the left temple seems also to have been brought under control, largely through the use of sulphur ointment and lysol. There still remain infested areas on the face, in the upper corner of the lower lip and in the right eyebrow, which have not yet been brought under control. Tunnels or burrows, presumably in the dermis, could be seen on the wrist, in the soft skin be- tween the fingers, on the knee, below the ear, above the temple, and on the lower lip. On wrist and knee, these burrows took the form of one more or less straight central tunnel, visible as a Slightly raised reddish line, from which extended at right angles several shorter lateral tunnels. Above the temple, as noted, a network of raised red lines with small swellings here and there, indicated the presence of the mites. In otner areas mentioned, the tunnels were more or less U-shaped, somewhat wider at one end, and apparently without lateral branches. Inasmuch as it has never been possible to locate a mite in the sloughed-off epidermis or in the small incrustations which form over infested areas, it seems probable that the burrows are actually in the dermis. Further evidence for this belief is the fact that live mites have been captured from the deeper regions underlying such an incrustation when the latter had been removed. Certainly, during the period of acute symptoms, when mites could be felt running about below the thickened epidermal masses, and causing their host almost to tear off bits of the scalp in an effort to get at them, none were even in- convenienced by any substance used against them until the mereuric iodide soap was employed. One of the most annoy- ing runways occupied by the mites, the entire length of the right eyebrow, with extensions to and from the adjacent hair- line, does not show on the surface any indication of its pres- ence save a slight swelling. Even when such a burrow does not show externally, however, its presence is readily ascer- tainable by reason of the activity of the mites, which habit- ually travel from one area to another along certain well-de- PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 53, NO. 1, FEBRUARY, 1951 5 fined highways. If these highways were in the epidermis, it should seemingly have been possible to capture mites in them, as the mites moved from place to place. SYMPTOMS EXPBRRIENCED BY THE OTHER MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY It was not until some time after my acute symptoms had subsided that other members of the family began to feel the effects of the mites. Whether they were less susceptible to the mites, from whatever source these were originally obtained, or whether they were infested from my infestation, we shall never know. As I had not at any time discussed the details of my symptoms with either of them, it is evident that they did not develop symptoms ‘in sympathy’ with mine. Only now and then, one of them would mention her particular symptoms as of the moment. One has had more difficulty with mites in- vading the pinna of the ear than I have had. These mites, when driven from the ear by the use of sulphur ointment or some other substance, moved down on to the body and be- came embedded there, particularly on the chest, shoulders and lower back. This member has also had much trouble with mites invading the nostrils. The other member of the family had more difficulty with mites embedded on the neck and shoulders. At no time have either of them suffered acutely from the presence of the mites. THE MEDICAL PROFESSION Aid was of course sought from the medical profession, but very little help in treatment of the symptoms was forthcoming from this source. A rehable oculist who was consulted during the period of my acute symptoms reported the finding of some foreign objects embedded in the eye, but as these were apparently not in the cornea, he thought they would do no serious damage. A dermatologist, recommended by a local physician, was apparently convinced without more than a very casual examination, that the patient’s svmptoms were largely imaginary, those that did exist having been caused by an ill-advised attempt on the part of the patient to rid her- self of something that was not there. Not until three days after my visit to his office, however, did he tell me this. Even he could not fail to note the greatly swollen eyes and the three areas of thickened epidermis on the scalp. He X-raved the eyes and the affected scalp areas, and recommended sev- eral days’ stay in the hospital, ostensibly for further treat- ment of the eves. Actually, such treatment consisted solely of applications of hot boric acid compresses to the eves, and the use of cold boric acid as an eye wash, treatment which I could have rendered myself at home fully as well. After the 6 PROC. ENT, SOC. WASH., VOL. 53, NO. 1, FEBRUARY, 1951 third day in the hospital, he turned me over to a neurologist for treatment of my ‘psychoneurotic’ condition. The patient, however, succeeded in convincing the neurologist that she had no need of his services. The local physician now suggested the use of sulphur ointment on the scalp, such as had been used effectively by the patient against mites embedded elsewhere on the body. She also suggested the use of sulfathiazole, which seemed to aid materially in reducing the allergic reactions and possible secondary infections. The complete amazement of this physician, when she was later shown some of the first mites to be captured, indicated full well that she, too, had accepted at face value the dermatologist’s diagnosis of ‘Just imagination.’ Hence any real aid in the treatment of the seabitic condition, other than the suggested use of sulphur on the scalp, came from the patient herself or from parasitol- ogists. It is doubtful if the X-rayine of eyes and sealp had much effect on the mites, although it may certainly have aided materially in clearing up secondary infections. TREATMENT To date, no treatment applied has been able to bring about complete eradication of the mites. However, many substances used on the scalp and elsewhere on the body have afforded welcome even though temporary relief from the annoying sensation produced by the mites. It would seem that a certain number of the substances employed have actually killed some or all of the adult mites, but have had no effect on the ova. Any substance used on the scalp was applied either with sterile cotton or with a pipette, usually being then well rubbed in with the finger tips. Twenty-four to 48 hours was the usual length of time between the application of any one substance and its removal by means of a shampoo, although some sub- stances were left on the scalp for at least a week. The scalp was always shampooed as a preliminary to the application of any substance, and no other substance was used until the preceding one had been thoroughly washed out. After the use of certain of these compounds, a period of two to three months often elapsed before renewed symptoms indicating the presence of the mites were apparent. On circumstantial evi- dence this might be taken to indicate that the length of time required for the maturation and hatching of a young mite from the ovum is approximately two to three months. There is always the possibility, however, that the young mites may not make their presence felt at once, and that the growth period is really somewhat shorter. Attempts at control have continued actively from 1943 up to the present time. ~] PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 53, NO. 1, FEBRUARY, 1951 Many substances employed as a possible means of control proved useless for that purpose. Among these may be men- tioned: DDT powder, 10%, used as for pediculosis; kerosene emulsion with vinegar; Sergeant’s Mange Cure, which had been of value in treating mange on two pet cats some years before, but was of no help in the present situation; ethyl, normal butyl and isopropyl alcohols, used separately and in varying strengths from 70 to 100%; ether, apphed to the scalp a few drops at a time; 3% phenol, also as used for pedi- culosis The following chemicals have proved of value in bringing relief, sometimes of a very temporary nature, from the activ- ities of the mite: Sulphur ointment, 15% USP, applied to the scalp or other parts of the body. This could be left on for several days after application. It is one of the most helpful substances employed to date. In the early treatment of mites on the body, a strong- er preparation of sulphur was used, made by mixing flowers of sulphur with Crisco or Spry. The exact percent of the sulphur so used was never determined. At one time only during the period of acute symptoms was any sensitivity to sulphur noticed. The ointment used at that time was made up in lanolin. This sensitivity soon disappeared and no indica- tion of it has been felt since that time. Mites treated with sulphur seem to die in situ. Gentian violet, 2 to 5% aqueous solution. This, if left on any affected part of the body for a week or 10 days, and if constantly augmented by additions of the same every few days, proved completely effective in eradicating the small colonies of mites already mentioned, on wrist, knee, fingers and below one ear. Unfortunately it was never feasible to leave this dve on the scalp for more than two days at the most, as it is by no means desirable to go about with one’s sealp and hair painted purple. There is also some question as to whether or not gentian violet would prove as effective over areas in which the mites were more deeply located or where they had been ‘at home’ for a considerable period of time. Lysol, a relatively strong solution (4 teaspoonfuls to the pint, or even somewhat stronger), has proved to be one of the most effective methods of killing the adult mites. It can be used, at this strength, on small areas only. It has the dis- advantage of possessing a strong odor and is also hard on the skin. The epidermis usually peels off from any area so treated some time after the use of this solution. In a weaker solution it has been used over the entire scalp following a shampoo, usually keine rinsed off in a few hours. It is also by the use 8 PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 53, NO. 1, FEBRUARY, 1951 of lysol solution that some of the mites have been captured, as noted below. Zemo, both regular and extra strength solutions, has proved of value in reducing the irritation caused by the mites’ activ- ities, and may even have killed some of the adult mites. Germicidal soap, 1% mercuric iodide, used as a shampoo, appears to be quite effective against the mites, but does not eliminate all of them, nor does it appear to have any effect upon the ova. This soap is used quite regularly as a shampoo, and since no ill effects have followed its use except at the one period of acute symptoms, it seems evident that this soap cannot have been the causative substance which precipitated the acute attack. No evidence of sensitivity to this soap has been noted. It often causes the mites to migrate, however, which is not desirable if the migration is toward eyes or ears. Zine oxide ointment. This has been used at times alone or in combination with sulphur ointment, as is sometimes recom- mended, to alleviate itching on areas of the face and neck. Painted around each eye, it served to prevent the entrance of many mites into the eyes, as they could be felt moving up to this barrier but going no further. In addition, certain other compounds known to be of value in the control of sareoptic and other forms of mange, have been employed. Of these, the first two were suggested by Dr. Gaines W. Eddy, who has recently published the results of a series of experiments with some new synthetic organic compounds as seabicides (Jour. Investig. Dermatology 12(2) : 117-123, 1949). He lkewise sent me samples of several of these substances, enough for two or more treatments with each. It seems quite possible at the present writing that one or both of these two new chemicals may eventually prove ef- fective in the eradication of our mites. Benzyl salicylate. An aqueous solution of salicvlic acid and benzyl ester 10%, in 2% of Tween 20, is the first of these two drugs. Samples of the Tween 20 were kindly donated by the Atlas Powder Company of Wilmington, Del. This has been used on my own scalp for several different doses during the past two months. After each such use, the symptoms were temporarily eliminated, but migration of the mites was quite noticeable. It has recently been employed in the treatment of one of the members of my family, but living mites are still present on her sealp. 2-phenyleyclohexanol 10%, and Tween 20, 2% as an aqueous solution, is the second chemical recommended by Dr. Eddy. The Dow Chemical Company of Midland, Mich., was kind enough to provide me with samples of this compound. It has recently been used on my own scalp. As vet the results PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 53, NO. 1, FEBRUARY, 1951 9 are inconclusive, but again the symptoms are temporarily alleviated. Migration of mites occurs after its use. Ultimate success might be achieved by the frequent repetition of this substance to the scalp and other affected areas, if used re- peatedly over a sufficient period of time so as to kill all newly hatched larvae before they reach maturity. Benzyl benzoate. This has been employed in two forms: first as a liquid, and second as an emulsion, the Wellcome brand, which was much used by British scientists during World War II in the treatment of human scabies. Some relief was obtained from its use, particularly when the emulsion was employed. It seemed especially effective against those mites which had located in the pinna of the ears. Migration of the mites after the use of this compound was most pronounced. Recently, the emulsion has been used on small areas of the scalp at double the strength recommended. Some migration has been caused, but many of the mites seem to have been killed in situ. As it is probably unwise to use benzyl benzoate at double strength except on very limited areas, and as it fails to effect a complete cure even when so used, this drug cannot be relied upon to control the mite under consideration. Tetraethylthiuram monosulphide. Another remedy much used, and with good success according to the literature on the subject, against human and animal scabies. Used as an aleo- holic solution as recommended, it has not proved as useful in the treatment of our mite as have several other substances. It is stated to give excellent control against Sarcoptes and Notoedres, but it seems not to be the answer when used against Dermatophagoides. Gamma isomer of hexachlorocyclohexane. This was used in the form of an ointment sold under the commercial name of KWELL. Ticks and mites are reported to be killed readily by this substance, but not so the mite Dermatophagoides. It was left on the scalp for several days before removal with a shampoo, and almost immediately thereafter the mites could be felt moving about in their accustomed places. 40% aqueous hypo (sodium hyposulphite). This was al- lowed to dry on the scalp, and was followed by a second ap- plication, which was also allowed to dry. Sometimes hypo was used alone, or again was followed by 5% HC1 after the second application was thoroughly dry. Both methods often brought relief for several days, even for a week or more. But again the ova were evidently not destroyed. Although this treatment has been repeated many times during the past four years, the mites are still with us. However, it did give temp- orary relief, and caused only a moderate amount of migration on the part of the mites. 10 PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 53, NO. 1, FEBRUARY, 1951 Considering the above list of chemicals, many of which are purported to eradicate several species of mites commonly in- festing man and domestic animals, it would seem that the mite presently under consideration is much more difficult to deal with than are such genera as Sarcoptes, Notoedres, Psoroptes and Chorioptes. Whether or not this is due to an inherent ability of Dermatophagoides to withstand strong chemicals or whether, as seems more likely, this mite inhabits the dermis and is therefore less subject to contact with chemicals which are employed against it, we cannot say. At any rate, we have first-hand information that this mite is not easily eradicated. CAPTURING THE MITE This was a tedious process, and the number of mites actu- ally captured is surprisingly low. This does not mean, to me at least, that there were not many more mites present at any given time, which could not be captured by any method employed. My first attempt at locating the causative agent by examin- ing sloughed-off epidermis and incrustations from infested areas, after treating these with KOH, was completely nega- tive. Hence it followed that similar material which was col- lected from my scalp and body and sent away to two different parasitologists for examination also yielded negative results. Both of the parasitologists were interested in the case, and anxious to help if possible, but they were located many miles away from the individual who had the infestation. During the period of the acute symptoms, my eyes were so badly swollen that it would have been impossible for me to recognize a mite had I been able to capture it. Furthermore, during that summer I did not have a microscope at my dis- posal. A few months after the acute symptoms had subsided, however, I captured two very small Hymenoptera which had been felt crawling about on the scalp. These have been iden- tified by Mr. C. F. W. Muesebeck, Chief of the Division of Insect Identification Bureau of Entomology and Plant Quar- antine, in Washington, as members of the Trichogrammatidae, known to be egg parasites. There will never be any certainty -aS to whether or not these Trichogrammatidae bore any rela- tion to the mite infestation, but of course there is always at least a possibility that they were parasitic upon the ova of Dermatophagoides. The technic, if one may call it that, of their capture was the same as that which was soon successful in the capture of the first mite found. It consisted in holding a bit of sterilized cotton, dipped in lysol solution, firmly in place for several minutes directly over a spot where a mite or some other arthropod could be felt moving about. Success by PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 53, NO. 1, FEBRUAKY, 1951 11 this method was never very great, but at least it was thus that most of the few mites taken directly from the scalp have been captured. If successful, the mite, still alive and moving sluggishly, would be found adhering to the cotton when the latter was removed from the scalp. A rather amazing number of other arthropods have like- wise been captured from the scalp in the same fashion. Among these were: several Hymenoptera of a considerably larger size than the Trichogrammatidae; an oribatid mite; small portions of the skeleton of an unknown arthropod bearing feathered hairs similar to those of a trombiculid mite; what appears to be the cast skin of a small spider; an apparent jassid; and of course many small gnats and other Diptera, among these being psychodids and ceratopogonids. Pollen of various sorts was also found commonly. Perhaps a study of the flora and fauna of the human scalp in summer might be interesting. A modification of the method of capture indicated above also yielded several mites of Dermatophagoides. Immediately following a shampoo, especially when the mercuric iodide soap had been employed for that purpose, mites could be felt moving and scratching at various places on the scalp. Some- times, following such activity, there would occur a sharp pin- prick-like sensation in a different spot than the original one, and the appearance at that spot of one of the customary itching red papules which often increased in size later. This I interpret to mean that the mite, disturbed but not killed by the substance used in the shampoo, had come up from its ‘‘den’’ in the dermis, and when on the surface of the skin had moved to a new location, when again it burrowed in, perhaps using a hair follicle as its point of entrance. If now the saturated cotton was applied before the second burrowing- in took place, there was a good chance of capturing the mite- Another method of capture that has met with greater suc- cess is as follows. After treatment of the scalp or face with sulphur or indeed with almost any of the chemicals listed as being of value, mites could sometimes be found the following morning on the pillow of the individual using this treatment. These mites, collected by means of a bit of cotton moistened with water, were usually dead when taken, but recently several live, active, impregnated females have been captured in this manner. At one time only did I succeed in ‘‘digging out’’ a mite from my own scalp, by means of an exploratory fingernail applied to the area beneath an incrustation, the latter having been forcibly removed. The mite had been felt moving about under this incrustation. When thus captured, the mite was 12 PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 53, NO. 1, FEBRUARY, 1951 quite alive and healthy, and waved its legs lustily as it was being examined under the microscope. It is perhaps worthy of note than even a small mite, when moving about actively in or on one’s scalp feels ‘‘as large as a cat.’’ A peculiar sensation as of pressure sometimes oceurs synchronously with the activities of a mite which has been annoyed by treatment with some chemical. This has been especially noticeable after the use of sulphur ointment. Then there is another peculiar sensation sometimes felt: a ‘‘stream- ing’’ activity, as though many mites, perhaps small ones, were leaving some common center, due to the use on the scalp of some chemical distasteful to them, and ‘‘fanning out’’ in various directions from this center. In fact, some mites may later be located in red papules that had not been there before, on face, neck or shoulders, following such a streaming. I venture to predict that if any dermatologist should become the host of this mite, he would not diagnose his case as ‘‘ Just imagination.”’ POSSIBLE SOURCE OF THE INFESTATION The source of the infestation is completely unknown. Two possible sources are: (1) two pet cats of the household, the last one of which died at least ten years ago; these cats suf- fered from what we called ‘‘mange,’’ for which ailment we treated them, with some degree of success, with Sergeant’s Mange Cure; and (2) a neighbor’s dog, which for years suffered from some severe skin infection which several good veterinarians tried in vain to bring under control, so that the dog had finally to be destroyed. It is possible that our eats acquired their infestation from the dog, and that we acquired ours from either the cats or the dog. At the time of the most acute symptoms, in the summer of 1943, I tended toward: the belief that the infestation had been acquired, in my case, from a woodchuck which I had used to obtain material for some histological preparations. That the woodchuck did have ectoparasites I know for a cer- tainty, as I not only removed from its body some lice (appar- ently Hnderleinellus marmotae) but also some immature or nymphal Ixodes. I noted some of the latter climbing my arm as I worked on the woodchuck, and later captured one nym- phal Ixodes, probably cookei, from my own sealp. However, the fact that I had noted itching papules in my scalp for some vears previous to this time, leads me to believe now that the mite Dermatophagoides did not come to me from the wood- chuck. This mite has been rather recently reported from rats, but I have had no oceasion to work with rats other than to kill an occasional white rat for histological purposes. The same mite has been reported from the skins of birds. But I PROC. ENT. SOC. WASIL., VOL. 53, NO. 1, FEBRUARY, 1951 13 have had oceasion to come in contact with birds only to pick off a few ectoparasites from such dead specimens as may have been brought into the laboratory, and most of this has been done since 1943. The fact that the infestation has lasted for so many years seems to indicate that the mite can adjust itself readily to life on or in the human skin, and maintain itself there once it is well established. TAXONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS This mite belongs to the family Epidermoptidae, which may be easily distinguished from its nearest ally, the family Psoroptidae, by the fact that the females of the Epidermop- tidae possess suckers on all the tarsi, whilst females of the family Psoroptidae have long whiplike setae on the third tarsi. Dermatophagoides Bogdanow, 1864 Dermatophagoides Bogdanow, 1864. Bull. Soc. Imp. Nat. Moscou 37(1) :341-348, pl. 7, figs. 1-2.—Vitzthum, 1929. Tierreich Mitteleuropas, Acari, Bd. 3, 1f. 3, 102.—Sasa, 1950. Japanese Journal of Experi- mental Medicine 20:519-525. Pachylichus Canestrini, 1894. Prospetto del’ Acarofauna Italiana, fase. 6:824-829, pl. 77, figs. 1-4.—Berlese, 1897. Acari, Myriopoda, Scorpiones, Cryptostigmata, Sareoptidae, fase. LXXXII, no. 12.— Oudemans, 1904, Ent. Bericht. 20:190-195 (synonymy with Dermato- phagoides). Mealia Berlese, 1897. Acari, Myriopoda, Scorpiones, Cryptostigmata, Sarecoptidae 1:104.—Berlese, 1898. Idem., fasc. LXXXIX, no. 10, and XCII, no. 3 and no. 4.—Canestrini and Kramer, 1899, Das Tier- reich, Demodicidae and Sarcoptidae, 137-138.—Trouessart, 1901, Bull. Soe. Zool. France XX VI:82-84. Viscopteres Sasa, 1947. Nisshin Igaku 34(3) :167-170. Type: Dermatophagoides scheremetewskyi Bogdanow, 1864. Bogdanow described two forms of mites. The first of these, designated D. scheremetewskyi, is a female, depicted in dorsal and ventral view in figs. la and 1b. It occurred on the surtace of the skin of humans suffering from the itch. The mite of the second type, found on a single occasion on a child suffer- ing from herpes farinosus, and designated by Bogdanow as ‘“Acarus de l’Herpes farinosus,’’ is depicted in figs. 2a and 2b. It is a male, very probably that of D. scheremetewskyi, as Bogdanow himself suggested; certainly it belongs in the same genus as the previously described female mite. Bog- danow compares his new genus with Dermatophagus, saying that it has ‘‘une grande resemblance avec selui des acariens due genre Dermatophagus, decrit en detail par Fiirstenberg.”’ 14 PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 53, NO. 1, FEBRUARY, 1951 He notes two differences between Dermatophagoides and Der- matophagus: (1) the conformation of two lyre-shaped chiti- nous ares near the genital opening of the female; and (2) differences in the termini of the third legs of the females. (Dermatophagus Fiirstenberg, 1861, is a synonym of Choriop- tes Gervais, according to Ewing, 1929.) Dr. Menger, an M.D., reports on the finding of a species of parasitic mite infesting the human skin and causing a severe dermatitis. This mite he describes and figures, as: ‘‘ Acarus incapsulator or Sarcoptes trichogenetos (Boeking).’’? The mite is said to have been found also in capsules beneath the skin of the same patient, and was thought to be related to or be the causative agent of trichinosis, hence the specific name applied to it. North American records are: Texas; in house in Kentucky ; from rat in Florida; from house in Chester, N. H., causing an itch; and from New York. These, combined with the Eu- ropean distribution, indicate a rather widespread range and eventually the mite should be found throughout most of the world. Several other species have been placed in Dermatophagoides, but much work is needed before the exact status of the various species can be determined with certainty. Dr. Manabu Sasa, of the Institute of Infectious Diseases, University of Tokyo, Japan (The Japanese Journal of Experimental Medicine, vol. 20, pp. 519-525, 1950), discusses the genus Dermatophagoides in Japan. D. saitoc (Sasa) was taken in sputum of a patient with typical Loeffler’s syndrome, D. takeuchit was found in urine, and an undetermined species was obtained from a pa- tient with chronic bronchial asthma. Generic characters. Body oval. Dorsal shield present. Prominent transverse groove anterior to middle of body, the two hind pairs of legs posterior to this groove. Sexual dimorphism evident, especially noticeable in legs of male; however, all legs in both sexes are well developed. Posterior end of body more or less rounded, not lobed in either sex. A pair of copulatory suckers present on anal plate of male. Genital opening of female between third coxae; surrounded by a eres- centic anterior and two curved lateral sclerotized supports. Correspond- ing opening of male somewhat more posterior, lying between fourth coxae. Penis short, conical. Epimera of first legs not united. All tarsi in both sexes with short terminal stalks (peduncles) which bear ecup- shaped suckers. Claws, where present, small and not easily discernible. Two pairs of long, strong posterior setae, the outer pair longer. One pair of vertical setae, also long and strong, arise from anterior portion of dorsal shield. Chelicerae powerful, terminating in paired chelate cutting surfaces which are dentate on the inner margins. Legs I and II directed forward; legs IIT and IV directed backward. PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VoL. 53, NO. 1, FEBRUARY, 1951 15 Dermatophagoides scheremetewskyi Bogdanow Dermatophagoides scheremetewskyi Bogdanow, 1864. Bull. Soe. Imp. _ Nat. Moscou 37 (1) :341-348. Mealia pteronyssina Berlese, 1897. Acari, Myriopoda, Scorpiones, Cryptostigmata, Sarcoptidae 1:104. Acarus incapsulator Menger, 1896. Texas Medical News, San Antonio, Texas, Sept. 25:1-20 (attributed to Boeking). Sarcoptes trichogenetos Menger, 1896. Texas Medical News, San Antonio, Texas, Sept. 25:1-20 (attributed to Boeking). Eleven females and nine males, all adults, were available for study. Three of the females, taken alive, were observed before being killed. One larva and two nymphs are also pres- ent in the available material. Mites were mounted (a) in clarite, after clearing in xylol, or (b) in modified Berlese’s medium, usually direct from 35% aleohol. Some mites were cleared in KOH previous to mounting; others, including most of those mounted by the second method, did not undergo such preliminary treatment. Male mites are almost trans- parent, but female mites, unless cleared, show well only such structures as are on the surface which is uppermost. Cer- tain morphological features are seen more clearly in mites mounted by the first method; others, by the second. Size. Female: 10 specimens measured. Average length, 355.2y, from tips of mouthparts to tip of abdomen; average width, 196.84. Longest, 400y,; shortest, 320y,; widest, 2404; narrowest, 160y. Male: 8 speci- mens measured. Average length: 296y,; av. width, 180y.. Longest: 352y,; shortest, 256u.5 widest, 208y,; narrowest, 128u.. Mouthparts. See Plate III, figs. 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19. These are quite complicated, heavily sclerotized, and interpretation of some of the parts is difficult. Two large chelicerae are present, each bearing distally a pair of cutting surfaces, the inner margins of which are dentate or serrate, as indicated in figures 15, 16, 17 and 18. From ventral view, two large triangular or conical structures are seen; from beneath these, the cutting surfaces are visible. Perhaps these represent a bilobed hypostome or rostrum. These structures are shown in the ventral views of male and female mites, Pl. I, figs. 3 and 4. Viewed from above, a very similar pair of triangular structures lying directly beneath the basis capituli almost obscures the cutting surfaces, which can be seen only by focussing downward. These are perhaps the basal portions of the chelicerae, on which the cutting surfaces are borne. It appears, then, that there are two sets of sclerotized, conical strue- tures, one pair dorsal, the other ventral, with the cutting surfaces be- tween them, and attached to the uppermost pair of sclerotized cones. A pair of well-developed palps is present, one palp lying on each side of the conical structures. Each is four-segmented, if the basal segment 16 PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 53, NO. 1, FEBRUARY, 1951 PLATE 1 Fig. 1, adult female mite, ventral view, showing details of skeletal structures; tips of one pair of chelicerae are shown, also location of the pair of large anterior dorsal spines; posterior half of body shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 2, adult female mite, ventral view, showing skeletal strue- tures of posterior half of body. Fig. 3, adult female mite, ventral view; embossings and granulations shown on right side; on left side, fine cuticular lines are indicated; only basal portions of long posterior spines are shown; these are the only dorsal structures seen, except tips of mouthparts. Fig. 4, adult male mite, ventral view; fine granu- PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 53, NO. 1, FEBRUARY, 1951 17 be counted. On each of the paired conical structures are more heavily sclerotized areas; these I am unable to interpret. The pharynx is visible through the mouthparts, especially in specimens well cleared before mounting. The general appearance of the mouthparts is reminis- cent of those of Chorioptes. Legs. On all tarsi of both sexes, the short terminal stalks inserted before the end of the tarsus, and bearing prominent cup-shaped suckers, are much like those seen in Chorioptes. Stalks on legs III and IV appear slightly longer than those on legs I and II, in both sexes. Tarsi of legs III and IV are likewise longer than those of legs I and II, in both sexes. Setae and spines ornamenting the legs are shown in several of the figures indicated below. (a) Female. See Plate II, figs. 7, 8 and 9; and Plate III, figs. 11 and 13. Legs slender, subequal. In specimens mounted in elarite, a single terminal tarsal claw is seen on leg I. This claw, however, is not clearly evident except under oil immersion. In mites mounted in Berlese’s medium, the claw does not show well. On tarsi of legs II, IIT and IV, one or two lobes are present, but nothing that seems inter- pretable as a claw. (b) Male. See Plate II, fig. 6; and Plate ITI, figs. 10, 12 and 14. Legs I and III are definitely much thicker than II and IV; leg I is more thickened than III. Even IT and IV, however, are less slender than legs of the female. In males mounted in elarite, claws are dis- cernible, under oil immersion, as follows: Tarsus I, one rather heavy claw and one much smaller; Tarsus II, one claw; Tarsi III and IV, two claws each, one of each pair larger than the other. Dorsum. Fine cuticular lines are present over the entire dorsal sur- face, in both sexes. The dorsal shield seems divided into an anterior portion, likewise shield-shaped, and a larger medio-posterior portion; between these, an apparent narrow area which is thinner. On one male, an urn-shaped sclerotized area is present at the anterior margin of the medio-posterior portion, as shown in Plate II, fig. 5. In the male, this dorsal shield’ seems to extend almost to the posterior tip of the body, and almost to the lateral margins. Large bosses ornament it laterally and posteriorly, as well as a few granulations; the latter are much less conspicuous than in the female. In the female, both portions of the shield are quite heavily granulated, with but a few bosses present. Laterally, a wider area of the body is left exposed than in the male; posteriorly also, the shield fails to cover quite an area. In mounted specimens, the posterior margin appears undulated, but in the live mite it is evenly rounded. In both sexes, but more apparent in the female, lations and small spines indicated in right half, where also is shown in dotted lines the position of embossings on the dorsal surface; on left half, fine cuticular lines are indicated; location of large, long spines on dorsal shield, in anterior portion, shown in dotted lines; only the basal half of the long posterior spines is shown. 18 PROC. ENT. SOC, WASH., VOL. 53, NO. 1, FEBRUARY, 1951 PLATE 2 Fig. 5, adult male mite, dorsal view; structures interpreted as sperm ducts and testis are indicated; at right, one of the outer pair of pos- terior spines, full length. Fig. 6, leg I of male mites; left—tips of tarsi of legs of adult mites, center—leg of young adult, right—leg of fully-developed adult. Fig. 7, legs of adult female mite; left—leg I, center—leg 3, right—leg IV. Fig. 8, tips of tarsi of leg II, adult fe- male mites; right—mounted in clarite, left—mounted in modified Berlese’s medium; sucker omitted from leg at right. Fig. 9, tips of tarsi of leg I, adult female mites; center and right—mounted in clarite, left—mounted in modified Berlese’s medium; sucker omitted in figures center and right.