ACARINA 349 



(Emona hirta, Pterostichus prcecox, Coptomma variegata and Xyloteles 

 griseus, at Ophir, in Central Otago. It was also taken on a fly in the 

 Wellington district, and on an introduced wood louse (Porcellio scaber). 



As far back as 1892 Mr Maskell reported this mite on a species 

 ofElater (?) from Wellington; and on Oniscus (Porcellio ?) from Christ- 

 church. 



The carabid found infested with this mite at Ashburton was in a 

 cucumber-frame which was crowded with wood lice. Mr Smith says 

 this species has only been detected in certain districts within recent 

 years, and he considers it to be an introduced form which is 

 spreading rapidly. 



Sub-order PROSTIGMATA 



Family TROMBIDIIDJE 

 Tetranychus tellarius, Linn. Red Spider 



This mite has probably been in New Zealand from early days 

 of settlement. It was reported in 1873 as occurring commonly on 

 apple trees, but probably this was a mistaken identification, and 

 Bryobia pratensis was intended. It is a common greenhouse and 

 vinery pest, but numerous reported cases refer, to the other species. 

 As far as I know, it is not found on apple trees at all, but I have 

 heard of its attacking violets. The Agricultural Department reported 

 it in 1911 as common on Cape gooseberries, violets and primroses. 



Tetranychus bimaculatus, Harvey. Red Spider 



Mr A. H. Cockayne states, in the Afforestation report for 1910-1 1 , 

 that this species threatens to become a serious menace to the suc- 

 cessful growing of certain species of Abies in the Canterbury district. 



