1910 ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY. 89 



moose and deer all must siiffer considerable annoyance from the presence of these 

 pests. In the study of this group several new genera were established for North 

 America. 



Only a' few a^mphibians were examined, and on one, the Leopard frog, a species 

 of Gamasid was found in abundance attached to the skin, apparently doing no 

 harm, but perhaps considerably annoying its host. 



Several Ontario reptiles were examined, but the writer found no indication of 

 parasites at work. However, in the United States an interesting species of tick has 

 been known to attack snakes. 



Practically all the domestic birds suffer from the attacks of one or more species 

 of mite. The chicken mite, Dermanyssiis gallinae, is the commonest and most 

 destructive pest of poultry. It is noctural and rests during the day in the crevices 

 of roosts and nest boxes and other places of concealment. It multiplies rapidly 

 and, unless checked by insecticides such as kerosene, will soon ruin a flock of 

 poultry. An interesting species is found in the nasal chambers of domestic and 

 wild birds. The injury they do has not yet been fully ascertained, but in many 

 cases where they are very numerous they cause suffocation by choking the nasal pas- 

 sages. In Ehode Island a species of mite has been found in the air sacs 'of turkeys 

 in every part of the State. It is again doubtful in this case as to just how much 

 damage they cause. On the pigeon several species are found, some attacking the 

 feathers, some the skin and others the legs and feet. These are only a few examples 

 of the many species found on domestic fowl. It might also be mentioned here that 

 through the agency of large shows, as the International held in Canada and the 

 States, the tendency will be to exchange and distribute the various species of North 

 America. 



Our native birds are among the most favoured by the mite pests. In our study 

 so far, we have found over fifty species in Ontario. Their habits vary, some living 

 parasitically, such as Liponissus sp. ; others s5mibiotically as in case of Analgesids ; 

 and still others merely as guests. Since many of our common birds associate and 

 feed with our domestic birds, they may easily pass from one to the other. These 

 again are of little economic importance so we need not discuss them further. 



Fanciers of caged birds are not exempt from troubles arising from the 

 attacks of these parasites. A species known as Dermanyssus avium is very com- 

 mon everywhere caged song birds are kept. Their habits are similar to those of 

 the chicken mite, hiding in crevices of the roosts by day and sucking the blood 

 from their victims at night. 



As Parasites and Guests of Insects and Other Mites. 



A striking example of the manner in which mites assist in maintaining the 

 balance of nature is afforded by these parasitic and predaceous creatures. It is a 

 well known fact that many of our most injurious insect pests of fruit, garden and 

 farm crops are controlled more effectively by the Acarids than in any other way. 

 A notable example of this kind is found in the Locust Mite, Trombidium locus- 

 tarum. The mite is generally found attached to the base of the second pair of 

 wings, although it is also found on the wing itself and on any other part of the 

 body, where it cannot be easily detached by the locust. A favourite position upon 

 the body is between the segments of the thorax and abdomen, and also behind the 

 upper joints of the legs, in such position their only means of attachment to their 

 host is apparently by their mandibles. As many as a dozen or more of these mites 

 may be found upon a single insect. These little mites render good service in 



