iQio] Pediciiloides Noxious to Man 21 



very minute, of elongate form, and extremely active, running about in 

 search of larvae ; and when one is found they immediately puncture the 

 skin and suck the juices. 



In a day or two the posterior segments of the abdomen begin to 

 enlarge and this process continues until the inflated, bladder-like 

 abdomen becomes ten or even twenty times the size of the cephalo- 

 thorax. Plate III, Fig. 3. 



During this time they have gradually lost their ambulatory 

 powers, and remain stationary upon their victims. In the meantime 

 changes equally wonderful have been going on within the abdomen. 



Eggs are continually forming, and within these the young mites are 

 as continually developing, passing through their entire metamor- 

 phosis, ivhich includes the acquisition of the fourth pair of legs, (an ex- 

 ceptional character among mites) within the abdomen of the mother, 

 from which they make their way as fast as they reach maturity. 



The females are quite prolific. I have counted frequently from 

 forty to fifty young and eggs within the abdomen, and believe that 

 they produce even more. The mothers survive the birth of a large 

 number, if not a majority of the young. The male I have never found, 

 and I am inclined to believe with Mr. Newport, that the species is 

 parthenogenpus.^" The minute size of those young mites admits of 

 their free access to the larvae of the moth, through the very small 

 opening where this made its entry, and a single mite with its progeny 

 would be sufficient to destroy it. 



That this is very often the manner of attack is proved by the 

 fact that -grains in which the larvae is badly infested frequently have 

 no other break in the hull by which even. a young mite could gain ad- 

 mission. Like the larvae on which they subsist, their development;^is 

 retarded or increased by the temperature, they being quite active at 

 a temperature of 60° Fah. ; but in colder weather able to remain within 

 the abdomen of the parent for months in a dormant state, awaiting 

 a rising temperature. 



While, as stated, this was probably the first published record 

 of the occurrence of this Pediculoides in America, I have since 

 had reason to believe that it was present many years prior to this 

 date, and, indeed, in the light of information that has been ob- 

 tained during the present year, 1909, it seems altogether probable 

 that it not only occurred but became noxious to man, in Massa- 

 chusetts, as early as 1830. 



The particular reference, however, to which attention is called 

 may be found in the "Prairie Farmer" for the year 1845, P^ge 

 216. Much is here made of larvae attacking the stems of wheat 

 above the upper joint and in connection therewith follows this 

 significant sentence : "In one instance nine eggs were found in a 



10. I have since observed the male though only occasionally, as it is prob- 

 able that each 9 produces but one (^ among her ntimerous progeny. 



