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252 INSECTS AFFECTING DOMESTIC ANIMALS. 
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June or fore part of July, but becoming especially annoying during : | 
August. In the latitude of Washington it is very abundant early in 
June, and farther south its season extends till, in southern Mexico, 
what is apparently the same species is abundant and equally annoying 
in January. 
The form in which this pest is observed is invariably the larval or 
six-legged form. It is nearly circular in outline, the legs extending 
well beyond the margins of the body, of a bright red color, and so 
minute that it is only with the closest scrutiny that it can be detected. 
It is brushed from the leaves of various plants on to the hands or 
clothing of people and to the bodies of other animals, and the mite 
then proceeds to burrow into the skin, notwithstanding the fact that, 
so far as all evidence shows, this proceeding is absolutely fatal to it 
and prevents any possibility of its maturing or producing eggs. 
Fic. 151..—Leptus irritans to the right and americana to the left (from Riley). 
Just what form this creature develops into if unmolested and allowed 
to pursue the even tenor of its way upon a vegetarian diet seems never 
to have been determined. It is assumed, however, that it changes into 
one of the species of Trombidium. 
A related form, L. americana, is figured also by Riley. 
In Europe a similar pest, known as Leptus autumnalis, is said to be 
a great annoyance to man and domestic animals, especially dogs and — 4 
chickens. 
REMEDIES. 
There is great difference in the susceptibility shown by different per- 
sons to the attacks of this mite, some not seeming to be affected seri- 
ously by them, while others must submit to extreme torture every time 
they happen to become attacked by them, even if but few in number. 
As the mites are invariably secured by working among raspberries, 
currants, or other shrubbery which harbors them, or by walking in 
grass or low herbage where they occur, sometimes even by sitting or 
lying for a short time upon grass or clover, it is evident that the best — 
precaution for susceptible persons is to avoid all such exposure. Where — 
such avoidance is impracticable, the clothing may be made to fit closely 
