MANGOLD aphis. 
39 
specific name with certainty ; but we know enough for present purposes 
in making it out as a “ Harvest Mite.” 
These “Harvest Mites” (Trombidiidce), and the “Spinning Mites,” 
commonly known as “ Red Spiders” of the Hop ( Tetranychi ), are 
sections of the order Acarina, or mites, which are distinguishable from 
true spiders by the mites never having the abdomen joined by a kind 
of stalk or mere small point of attachment to the fore body. The 
body is, so to say, all in one piece. 
Waiting a fuller description, we can perhaps hardly improve for 
general service on the one given from the * Brewers’ Guardian,’ as it 
resembles nothing so much when seen on the plant as “ a red spider, 
somewhat larger than the well-known ‘ money-spinner.’ ” Observations 
next year would be desirable, as, looking at the way in which various 
kinds of mites congregate where not wished for, we might find out 
what attracts them, and act on the knowledge; and meanwhile, as a 
name of some kind is needed, and the creature is a “ Harvest Mite ” 
and eats Aphides, I would suggest that the name of “ Aphis Harvest 
Mite,” or “Aphis-Mite,” would be both correct and convenient. 
MANGOLD. 
Mangold Aphis. ? Aphis papaveris, Fab.; ? A. atriplicis, Linn. 
(Turnip Aphis, Green Fly, Aphis rapes, Curtis; Cabbage Apbis, 
Wliite Lice, Aphis brassica, Linn.) 
Generally speaking, it saves much trouble in referring to farm 
insect attacks to class them under the name of the plants they 
damage ; but during the past season of 1885, in which, inconsequence 
of the drought, Aphis-attack affected most of the common crops to an 
unusual extent, these attacks were occasionally reported so completely 
in connection that it is impossible to separate them. This was the 
case with damage to Mangolds and Turnips, both of which crops were 
reported as in some instances suffering seriously. 
On the 29th of July specimens of Mangold and of Turnip leaves 
infested, by plant-lice were forwarded by Mr. Martin Burt from Elsen- 
ham, near Bishop’s Stortford, with the mention that he had no doubt 
that they were attacking the plants in consequence of their growth 
being checked by the drought, which was then prevalent. 
Mr. T. H. Hart, writing from Park Farm, Kingsnortli, Kent, 
relatively to attack of Aphides on root-crops, remarked :—“ Mangolds, 
if let alone, had quite enough to do during the drought to maintain 
themselves. Nevertheless, every tenth or twelfth plant had a host of 
