56 



attempt was made to identify the mycelial species. It was assumed that 

 some of the mycelia was from sooty mold. 



Further examination of the fecal content showed several species 

 of mites, some of which were still alive, whole white fly pupae, and 

 various parts of insect bodies. Lepidopterous wing scales and parts of 

 chitinous hexapod appendages were among the debris. Several specimens 

 of the citrus rust mite were found, none of which showed movement. 

 Some of the larger Prostigmatid mites were still alive when placed in 

 water for observation. The viability of these mites suggests the in- 

 ability of the snail to digest them supporting the hypothesis that the 

 snail is feeding on the fungi, but also consumes other foreign matter 

 by chance. However, it seems unlikely that the various mites could 

 escape from the encrusted fecal entrapment. 



The mite and insect portion of the feces represented a small frag- 

 ment of total content. The white fly pupae were the most numerous with 

 citrus rust mites second. , 



Once it was determined the snail was ingesting material other than 

 mycelia, additional studies were undertaken to locate citrus rust mite 

 spermatophores in snail fecal material. Spermatophores were found in 

 the fecal pellets and demonstrated yet another means for the snail to 

 exert pressure on the rust mite sex determination. The spermatophore 

 removal by the snail could alter the sex ratio increasing the ratio of 

 males in the next generation. Reduction in the ratio of female P^. 

 oleivora could be of significance in the suppression of the population 

 especially if other factors suppressing the citrus rust mite populations 

 were present. 



