128 Psyche [August 



Fig. 1. 1, Hemisarcoptes 77ialus Shinier; 2, Tydcus coccophagus Ewing. 



Tydeus coccophagus Ewing. 



L,' Hemisarcoptes coccisugus est un Acarien parasite dans toute 1' acceptation du 

 mot. II est le plus terrible ennemi des Kermes, qu'il tue pour nourrir. 

 II est done pour nous un auxiliaire extremement precieux. 



This mite is next in importance as an enemy of the oyster-shell 

 scale. It is a very small, white, active species, and is possibly 

 one of several to which Walsh refers under the name of "Cannibal 

 mites." The following quotation is from Walsh. 



* * * All cannibal mites that I am acquainted M^ith, are, in the adult stage, 

 exceedingly active, and run with astonishing rapidity for creatures of their minute 

 size. 



If one will raise up several of these scales during the month of 

 July or later, he may notice a very minute, white, speck-like crea- 

 ture dart out from under one of them, and run rapidly about the 

 twig or limb and disappear. Such is the behavior of the mite 

 mentioned. The individuals are extremely hard to catch, but 

 after much persistance we succeeded in getting several. 



