192 Acarology 



b. Tydaeohis Berlese, 1910 



Type. Tydaeiis atomiis Berlese, 1908 



c. Triophtydeiis Thor, 1932 (= Tridilatydeus Baker, 1946) 

 Type. Tydeiis triophthcdmus Oudemans, 1929 



2. CoccotydeusThoY, \9?>\ 



Type. Coccotydeus globifer Thor, 1931 



3. Lorryia Oudemans, 1925 (= Raphitydeus Thor, 1933) 

 Type. Lorryia superba Oudemans, 1925 



4. Coleotydaeus Berlese, 1910 



Type. Coleotydaeus rhombicus Berlese, 1910 



5. Pronematus G. Canestrini, 1886 



a. Pronematus s. str. 



Type. Pronematus bonatii Canestrini, 1886 



b. Pronecupulatus BsikQT, 1944 



Type. Pronecupulatus anahuacensis Baker, 1944 



c. Proctotydaeus BQr\Q?,Q, 1911 



Type. Proctotydaeus viator Berlese, 1911 



6. Retetydeusl^hoT, \92>\ 



Type. Retetydeus catenulatus Thor, 1931 



The family has been divided in the past into too many genera based 

 on such characters as size, width, length of setae, type of setae, and 

 presence or absence of eye spots. It is believed that the above pres- 

 entation is a more correct and simpler one. 



Discussion: These mites are world-wide in distribution and appear 

 to be predaceous on small insects and mites and their eggs. There is 

 an indication that certain species, however, may be plant feeders but 

 more observation is necessary. One species, Tydeus molestus (Mo- 

 niez), is a minor pest to man in an isolated region in Belgium. They 

 cause irritation by the bite to human beings and to domestic animals. 

 Tydeus calif ornicus (Banks) is predaceous on the citrus bud mite, Ace- 

 ria sheldoni (Ewing), in Southern California. Pronematus ubiqiutus 

 (McGregor), a mite found throughout California, is common on the 

 fig trees where it preys on the fig mite, Aceria ficus (Cotte). Lorryia 

 superba Oudemans, a European species, has been found in California, 

 and L. mali (Oudemans), another European species, has been taken 

 on apple leaves in Nova Scotia. 



Most species are to be found in moss, lichens, or on plant leaves in 

 association with other mite colonies. The life cycle is a simple 

 one; each female deposits eggs singly. This develops into the larva, 

 nymph, and adult, all stages being quite similar, and the adult acquir- 

 ing the genital opening. The male is similar to the female except in 



