1910 



ENTOMOLOGICAL SOCIETY, 



95 



Family Tetranychidae. 



Five species of this family have been found in Ontario up to the present 

 time. These are distinguished from the three preceding families by 'being fitted for 

 existence entirely on vegetable matter. Trees, shrubs, and herbs are usually infested 

 with one or more species of this family. Both sides of the leaves are attacked by 

 mites of this family, probably the under side being their most favourite resort. 

 Greenhouse plants as well as outdoor plants are subject to their attacks. Several 

 species are capable of spinning a silken thread and weaving a home, and from this 

 habit are called spinning mites. The commoner species are red in colour and from 

 this they get the name of "red spiders.'^ Other species are found in green, brown, 

 and mottled colours. They all have one or two conspicuous ocelli o'n the cephalo- 

 thorax and the body and legs usually have a few long scattered hairs. 



Fig. 22. Tetranychus telarius- 

 " Ked Spider." 



Fig. 23. Trombidium irritaus 

 — Harvest-mite. 



Tetranychus telarius, L. (Fig. 22). Found under bark of Buckthorn 

 (Rhamnus catharticus), Crabapple (Pyrus sp.). Cultivated Alder (Alnus glutin- 

 osa). T. D. J., Guelph. 



Tetranychus hicolor. Feeding on upper side of leaf of Hawthorn (Crataegus) 

 and Burr Oak (Quercus macrocarp®). T. D. J., Guelph. 



Tetranychus spinosa. On leaves of Basswood (Tilia americana). T. D. J., 

 Guelph. 



Bryobia pratensis. In houses. On window pane of Experimental basement, 

 Ontario Agricultural College. On clover and plum. T. D. J., Guelph. 



Tetranychus himaculatus. In greenhouse. T. D. J., Guelph. 



Family Rhyncholophid.^. 



Four species occur in Ontario, all belonging to the genus Rhyncholophus. 

 They are of much economic importance since most of our species are predaceous 

 on scale insects. Most of our species are red in colour and possess very long legs. 



Rhyncholophus pilosus. Feeding on eggs of Ichneumon; a parasite on 

 Cecropia moth ; found at base of old stump in woods ; on apple tree feeding on 

 Canker worm; on large black willow and other trees running over leaves in search 

 of insects. T. D. J., Guelph. 



