Where and in what stage the mites hibernate is not known, but it is 

 probable that the earty spring generations live upon some other than 

 the cotton plant, probably upon various weeds and in some sections 

 on water-oak. 



MEANS OF DISTRIBUTION. 



The distribution of mites over a field may be accomplished in several 

 ways. The minute mites cling to almost any substance that brushes 

 so forcibly against them as to remove them from the plant ; and when 

 brought in contact with plants farther along the row, or elsewhere, 

 they will be brushed off and cling to them. The mites have been 

 taken from several insects, such as grasshoppers and small Hemiptera, 

 found visiting the cotton plants. Probably the most common means 

 of distribution occurs during the cultivation of the crop. The hoe 

 gangs and the cultivators rapidly and thoroughly scatter the mites 

 over the field. Hoe gangs will spread them broadcast — down the 

 rows during their daily labor, and across the field when they leave it, 

 since they usually go by the shortest route. The effect of distribu- 

 tion along the rows can be most easily 

 traced in terraced cotton. 



The writer in 1904 and 1905 made 

 short trips to South Carolina to study 

 this pest. In several instances it was 

 noticed that from a point on the margin 

 of a field where there were growing large 

 poke-berry plants (Phytolacca decandra) 

 the infestation by red spider had spread fig. 2.-Tetranychus giowri: Palpus 

 over a fan-shaped area of the adjoining and mandibular piate-^marged (from 



1 J . ° Banks). 



cotton. Other places were seen where 



this same weed occurred on terraces, and here also the mites were 

 present in considerable numbers on adjoining cotton. At that time 

 of the year (July and August) these weeds, as well as the cocklebur 

 (Xanthium spp.), showed the effect of red spider work. The mites 

 were too scarce, however, for positive identification. Specimens 

 occurring on corn, cowpeas, and beans were identified by Mr. Banks 

 as the cotton red spider. These plants all showed appreciable injury 

 by the pest. Especially was this true of one field of corn that was 

 planted in a cotton field, the rows alternating. 



METHODS OF CONTROL. 



Enemies. — No parasites have yet been reported as living in this red 

 spider. However, there are several species of predaceous insects that 

 prey upon the mites and their eggs. Among these are larvae of Chry- 

 sopas or lacewings and lady-beetle larva? and adults. One species of 

 Pentilia, a minute black lady-beetle, is very destructive to the red 

 spider; this and other Coccinellids (lady-beetles) were noticed feeding 

 on the mites at several places visited in 1905. 



