424 ANNUAL REPORT OF NEW-YORK 



CURRANT. STALKS. 



why the name Trochilhnii is now given to this genus, instead of 

 ^geria, has already been stated in connection with the Peach tree 

 borer. No. 59. The name Troc/iilium means a little humming- 

 bird, being a diminutive of Trochilus^ the technical name of that 

 genus of birds, and its appropriateness will at once be perceived 

 by every one who has noticed one of these insects or their kindred 

 of the Sphinx family hovering over flowers, the larger species 

 having often been mistaken for humming birds. 



136. Wild currant borer, TVochilium caudatum, Harris. 



A worm similar to the preceding, boring in the stalks of the 

 wild black currant {Rihes Jloridum) and producing a brown moth 

 with tawny yellow neck, feet, antennae and tail, which last in the 

 males is nearly as long as the body. Width 1.00 to 1.25. See 

 Silliman's Journal, vol. xxxvi, p. 311. 



137. Currant mite, Tyroglyphus Ribis, new species. (Aptera. Acaridae.) 



On diseased currant stalks, in the cavities which have been 

 excavated by borers and under the loose bark, a minute mite 

 scarcely the hundredth of an inch long and less than half as 

 broad, white, shining, its head about half as broad as the body, 

 the head and thorax forming a third of its total length. 



Being met with sometimes in excessive numbers in those cur- 

 rant stalks which have been killed by borers, this minute crea- 

 ture merits a notice in connection with them, though w^e know 

 not whether it should be ranked as an injurious species. Several 

 of the insects of this family are known to be pernicious to the 

 vegetation and the living animals which they infest. But our 

 knowledge of their habits and economy is still so limited and 

 imperfect that it is uncertain whether a large part of them are to 

 be regarded as noxious or innocent. Many of them like the present 

 species appear to be present in the situations where we find them 

 in consequence of disease and decay already existing, and not as 

 the cause of maladies in connection with which they occur. It 

 is also probable that very many if not most of the species of 

 mites which we have upon this side of the Atlantic are identical 

 witli those of Europe. One of the evidences of this is now fresh 

 in my mind, and possesses sufficient interest to be stated in this 



