346 CRUSTACEA AND ARACHNIDA 



Sarcoptes scahiei, var. canis 

 I am informed that this mite occurs in New Zealand, particularly 

 on house dogs. It is not included in Colonel Reid's list (furnished to 

 me) of ecto-parasites found in this country. 



Sarcoptes minor, Fiirst, var. cuniculi 

 This mite, which particularly attacks the head of the rabbit, pro- 

 duces a kind of scabies which is fatal to severe cases. Colonel Reid 

 does not include it in his list, but Mr Coleman Phillips, in 1889, 

 attributed the disappearance of rabbits in the South Wairarapa district 

 largely to its attacks, conjointly with those of the rabbit louse {Hcema- 

 topinus ventricosiis). 



Sarcoptes mutans, Robin. Scaly-leg Mite (of fowls) 



In the report of the Agricultural Department for 1900 it is stated 

 that the mite which causes this disease is not uncommon in New 

 Zealand. 



Psoroptes communis, Fiirst, var. ovis 



This mite produces the disease known as scab in sheep. At one 

 time it was universally spread throughout the flocks in New Zealand, 

 where it had been introduced from Australia, and originally from 

 Europe. Before the days of Colonial administration in New Zealand, 

 the various Provincial legislatures attempted to cope with it. Active 

 measures were adopted wherever it occurred, and a tax of zs. per 

 annum per 100 sheep used to be levied on sheep-owners for the 

 inspection and control of the pest. This tax at one period realised 

 over j(^20,ooo per annum. About 1880 the country was declared free 

 of the pest, but the tax was not remitted till 1906, on account of 

 the necessity for maintaining a close inspection of the flocks. There 

 has been no reappearance of the pest in New Zealand for over 40 

 years. 



Psoroptes communis, Fiirst, var. cuniculi. Rabbit Mite 



This ecto-parasite occurs among rabbits in New Zealand. It 

 produces scabies in the ear, and has been found in the pulmonary 

 organs. 



Chorioptes auricularum, Bendz. 



Colonel Reid states that this mite occurs in cats in New Zealand. 

 It produces intense irritation in the ear of its victim. 



Tyroglyphus siro, Linn. Cheese Mite 



This cosmopolitan species was probably introduced with the 

 earliest importations of cheese into the country. It, however, only 

 occurs on old dry cheeses, occasionally in flour, on dried fruits, etc., 



