352 HOUSEHOLD INSECTS 



References to Economic Literature on this Mite 



1883. Webster, F. M. — The Angoumois grain moth. 12th Rept. 



State Ent. 111., pp. 150-151. 

 1901. Schamberg, J. F. — An epidemic of a peculiar and unfamiliar 



disease of the skin. Phil. Med. Jour, for July 6, p. 5. 



1909. Goldberger, J., and Schamberg, J. F. — Epidemic of an 

 urticarioid dermatitis due to a small mite (Pediculoides ven- 

 tricosus) in the straw of mattresses. U. S. Public Health Re- 

 ports, Vol. 24, No. 28, pp. 973-975. 



1910. Webster, F. M. — A predaceous mite proves noxious to 

 man. Circ. 118, Bu. Ent., U. S. Dept. Agri., pp. 1-24. 



THE CLOVER MITE 



Bryobia pratensis 



This pest is a true mite and is more closely related to 

 the spiders than to insects. It is found on a number of 

 plants, especially clover, alfalfa, certain forest and shade 

 trees, and on fruit trees. We have seen large areas of 

 alfalfa in Texas literally covered with the eggs, young, and 

 adults of this pest. It is rather partial to red clover and 

 sometimes causes serious injury to this crop. During 

 the season of 1909 a good many inquiries were made 

 regarding great quantities of small reddish eggs found on 

 the branches of fruit trees. These were the eggs of the 

 clover mite. It is a serious pest to fruit trees along the 

 Pacific Coast and in the higher portions of Colorado and 

 other Western states. The foliage of affected trees becomes 

 pale and sickly in appearance, and the egg-shells and cast 

 skins of the mites are often so numerous on the branches 

 that the latter present a scurfy appearance. Moreover, 

 it often attacks deciduous trees like the poplar, elm, and 



