ORDER ACARINA 27 



central Iowa, at least, and in Ohio to Lake Erie, appearing 

 by the latter part of June or fore part of July, but becoming 

 especially annoying during August. In the latitude of 

 Washington it is very abundant early in June, and farther 

 south its season extends until, in southern Mexico, what 

 is apparently the same species is abundant and equally 

 annoying in January. 



The form in which this pest is observed usually is the 

 larval or six-legged form. It is nearly circular in outline, 

 the legs extending well beyond the margins of the body, 

 of a bright red color, and so minute that it is only with 

 the closest scrutiny that it can be detected. 



Fig. 6. — Leptus irritans to the right and amcricana to the left. (From 

 Riley.) 



It is brushed from the leaves of various plants on to the 

 hands or clothing of people and to the bodies of other animals, 

 and the mite then proceeds to burrow into the skin, not- 

 withstanding the fact that, so far as all evidence shows, 

 this proceeding is absolutely fatal to it and prevents any 

 possibility of its maturing or producing eggs. 



There is great difference in the susceptibility shown by 

 different persons to the attacks of this mite, some not 

 seeming to be affected seriously by them, while others must 

 submit to extreme torture every time they happen to become 

 attacked bv them, even if but few in number. 



