6 Hewitt, On a neiv Phytophagous Mite. 



pest on account of their enormous numbers and rapid 

 multiplication. 



RliizoglvpJins cchiuopits, Fumouze & Robin (1868). 



This bulbicolous mite has been described under a 

 number of different names, as will be seen from the 

 bibliography in Michael's description of the species (1903) : 

 Murray in his handbook (1877) describes it under three 

 names. This multiplicity of specific names is due, I 

 think, to the large amount of variation which is found 

 in different specimens, especially males, and also their 

 different food habits. Banks (1906) in his recent memoir 

 on the American Tyroglyphidae calls this species R. 

 JiyacyutJii Boisduval. As Michael has already pointed 

 out (/.^.), this name cannot be satisfactorily followed, as 

 the habitat is the only clue which we have to its being 

 this species, on this account I think it is preferable to 

 retain the specific name cchinopiis of Fumouze & Robin. 

 Banks also retains Riley's species /v. //{/'//(ruT/vr^ distinct, 

 although Michael considers the species to be A'. ecJiinopus. 



I do not think in view of the variations which occur 

 in this and other species of mites, that Banks is quite 

 justified in his multiplication of the species. 



The average length of mature specimens is a little 

 over "Smm., the males being slightly smaller than the 

 females. They are yellowish-white in colour, the legs 

 being reddish-brown. The anterior region of the body, 

 the cephalothorax, is conical and is divided from the 

 abdomen by a distinct groove. The sides of the abdomen 

 bear a number of setae, the arrangement and number of 

 these in the male is shown in the figure. The female has 

 a larger number of setae, an additional pair is situated in 

 front of the antero-lateral abdominal setae, and several 



