216 Annals Entomological Society of America [Vol. XV, 



THE MOUTH-PARTS OF THE ERIOPHYID.E AND THOSE OF 

 PHYTOPTIPALPUS TRANSITANS EWING. 



The close resemblance between the mouth-parts of Phy- 

 toptipalpiis and those of gall mites were clearly recognized when 

 Tragardh established the genus for his species, paradoxus. 

 This resemblance was emphasized by giving the genus its name, 

 Phytoptipalpiis. 



In the Eriophyidce the mouth-parts have been reduced and 

 consolidated. The palpi are no longer free, but have become 

 shortened and fused with their bases to become a trough 

 (Fig. 1) in which lie the needle-like chelicerae. Evidences of 

 segmentation is retained by the palpi, and three indistinct 

 segments are usually recognized. The chelicerae (Fig. 1, c) 

 are minute, very slender and needle-like. Those of Eriophyes 

 pyri I have detached from the body and find that they arise 



k 



Fig. 1. Mouth-parts of Eriophyes pyri; all drawings greatly and equally enlarged. 

 A, dorsal view of capitulum; b, side view, showing the palpus, the 

 extended chelicerae and the ventral mouth-opening; c, dorsal view of 

 chelicer^. 



from a common base (Fig. 1, c). The oral opening is con- 

 spicuous and is situated on the ventral floor of the fused mouth- 

 parts. This position is typical for other Acarina. 



In Phytoptipalpiis the palpi are reduced and fused so as to 

 form a trough for the cheliceree. This fusion has been even 

 more complete than in the Eriophyidae, as only a single segment 

 remains discernible. The chelicerae are small, very slender 

 and needle-like. They are elbowed near their bases, and the 

 latter are lodged in a well defined mandibular plate. On 

 the ventral side of the fused maxillae is a conspicuous opening. 

 According to Tragardh it is through this opening in paradoxus 

 that the chelicerae are thrust. In transitans the chelicerae lie 

 in an almost capillary gutter and are thrust from the tip of the 

 capitulum and not at all through this opening. According 



