8 



offspring). This type of fertilization is common in tetrapodel iform 

 acari (Shevtchenko, 1957; Hall, 1967; Oldfield et al . , 1970; Sternlicht 

 and Griffiths, 1974). 



The use of spermatophore is a primitive method of insemination 

 where a male deposits a spermatophore (sperm sac) on the substratum 

 (Chapman, 1971). P^. oleivora spermatophore consists of a base, a stalk 

 approximately 10 y in length, with an expanded apical head (12 m in 

 diameter), and capped with a spherical sperm bearing case approximately 

 3 VI in diameter (Oldfield et al., 1970; Sternlicht and Griffiths, 

 1974). 



The male P^. oleivora produced approximately 16 spermatophore per 

 day (Oldfield et al., 1970). The sperm capsule of the spermatophore 

 of P_. oleivora is removed and taken into the female (Oldfield et al., 

 1970). The attraction of the spermatophores for virgin females of 

 Eriophyes sheldoni Ewing was noted (Sternlicht and Goldenberg, 1971). 

 This was later confirmed with Aculus cornutus (Banks) (Oldfield et al . , 

 1972). 



Rust mite dispersion . Bodenheimer (1951) found the citrus rust 

 mite primarily on the outer canopy with the highest numbers near the 

 crown of the tree during the warm season. During winter months these 

 mites concentrate on the undersides of the citrus leaves and the in- 

 terior portions of the tree (Yothers and Mason, 1930; Swirski, 1962). 

 Hibernation was suggested by Bodenheimer (1951) as a means of over- 

 wintering severe conditions. 



Positive phototaxis was demonstrated by Yothers and Mason (1930), 

 but the eriophyids avoided the direct sunlight. A semi-shaded preference 

 of the citrus rust mite on citrus fruit was mentioned by Watson and 



