Trombidiformes 



253 



Trombiculidae Ewing, 1944 



Figures 183, 184 



Diagnosis: Nymphs and adults. They are about 1 mm. long and oval 

 or more usually figure-8-shaped. The body is divided into three more 

 or less distinct sections — gnathosoma, propodosoma, and hysterosoma. 

 The cuticle is striated frequently with enlarged, platelike, setal bases. 

 Eyes may be present or absent but if present are always located on 



muw 



Figure 183 Eiischongastia indica 

 (Hirst). Dorsal view of nymph. (After 

 Wharton 1946) 



Figure 184 Eiischongastia indica 

 (Hirst). Dorsal view of larva. (After 

 Wharton 1946) 



the propodosoma. The setae are filiform and densely pilose, covering the 

 legs and body to give a velvety appearance. Made of five segments, the 

 palps are well developed and a tibial claw is present. The palpal tarsus 

 opposes the claw in a thumblike fashion. The chelicerae have a stout 

 basal segment and a bladelike distal segment that bears a row of saw- 

 like teeth on its dorsal edge. The legs have six segments, and each 

 tarsus is provided with a pair of ambulacral claws. The genital opening 

 is located between coxae iv. The males have a bladelike penis and 

 numerous setae on the longitudinal genital valves, while the females 

 have a similar opening but lack a penis and have few setae on the 

 valves; the genital openings of both sexes have three pairs of genital 

 suckers. The stigmata open on the basal segment of the chelicerae. A 

 scutum is present with a posterior sensillary area that bears a pair of 

 pseudostigmata from which arise elongated sensillae. The anterior end 

 of the crista is expanded to form a tectum that bears one or two setae. 



