88 
HOP. 
Aphis Harvest Mite. Section of Trombidiidcc (? species). 
The large amount of communication forwarded and reported 
regarding Hop Aphis during 1883 and 1884 make it unnecessary to add 
anything further at present regarding Hop Fly or Lice themselves,* 
but it is desirable to draw attention to a red “mite” having been 
noticed by various observers in the act of eating the Hop Lice. 
On July 28th the following notice of this red spider-like mite was 
inserted in the ‘ Brewers’ Guardian ’ :— “ A red spider, somewhat 
larger than the well-known ‘ money-spinner,’ has been noticed run¬ 
ning over the Hop-bines and leaves ; it is found that it carries off lice 
in its mouth, and quickly devours them. We have seen them in 
previous years, but never in such numbers as this. They must not be 
confounded with the ‘ Bed Spider ’ proper. ” 
Specimens of this Acarus, or mite, were forwarded to me on July 
31st from Barming, near Maidstone, by Mr. C. Whitehead, with the 
note:—“I send you some spiders which eat lice ( Aphis Humuli). 
They are very plentiful, and have only this year been known to be 
Aphis destroyers. I cannot find any web. They run very fast over 
the under leaves of the Hop-plants ” ; and on Aug. 14th Mr. White- 
head again noticed the mites as very numerous. 
On examination these small red creatures proved to belong to the 
family of “ Harvest Mites,” Trombidiidce, many of which are known to 
feed on insects or insect allies. Two kinds feed, in the United States, 
respectively on locusts and locust-eggs, and another on the Bose 
Aphis. With us one kind is often seen attached to the long-legged 
Harvest Spider, and I find a notice of another, the Trombidium 
anrantiacum, as follows:—“ A squat orange-coloured mite, of which 
the perfect form is not known with certainty, but it has been supposed 
to be a species described by DeGeer under the name of Trombidium 
aphidis, which feeds on the black Aphis which is so abundant in beans, 
poppies, and other plants.” 
In the absence of fresh specimens, and likewise of full descriptions 
to compare them with, it has not been possible (though I have had 
the benefit of consulting with skilled arachnologists), to make out the 
* As the communications received have mainly turned on points already entered 
on at length, 1 have thought it better not to repeat the information, but to reserve 
remarks until further definite observations have been given ; and I must mention 
with much regret that the special experiments which were again in progress at 
Stoke Edith Park, near Hereford, on the ground kindly given up by Lady Emily 
Foley for this purpose, were stopped for the season by the illness of the observer, 
Mr. Arthur Ward. 
