Galls caused by the larvae, nymphs, and imagines of 

 Eriophyes ajugse Nal. 



the flower-heads of Ajuga reptans Linn. 

 PLATE 118. 

 Synonymy of Mite. 

 Phytoptus ajugcB Nal. 



Habitat of the Creeping Bugle. — Abundant all over 

 Britain on pastures, in woods, near streams, and among 

 the grass beneath the fronds of Pteris aquilina. 



Position of the Galls. — On the flower-heads. 



Manner of Growth.— Each affected sessile leaf is covered 

 with pubescence. 



Colour. — Greenish or yellowish, tinged and striped with 

 purple. 



Average Dimensions of a Mature Specimen. 

 Height, 4 mm. ; girth, 5 mm. 



May be sought during the months of June to October. 



The Growth is complete by the end of August. 



The mites cause the uppermost ten or twelve leaves on the 

 flowering stem to curve upwards and towards the stem, until 

 the margins of each opposite leaf meet. By this means the 

 young flowers, which are situated in the axils of the leaves, 

 are enclosed and prevented from fu;-ther development. The 

 interior and e.xterior of the cluster thus formed becomes very 

 pubescent, and ultimately a woolly looking mass is formed, 

 within which the mites swarm in hundreds. The radical 

 leaves of the plant are also galled by the same species ; these 

 are illustrated on plate 45. 



The illustration is of specimens gathered at Hastings by 

 the author. 



