312 Report OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENTOMOLOGY OF THE 
THE MITE AN IMPORTANT FRUIT PEST. 
The mite was undoubtedly introduced at an early period into 
this country in foreign importations of nursery stock on either 
apple or pear trees and buds, and was probably well distributed in 
many fruit growing areas long before its presence was recognized. 
The first writer to direct attention to its appearance as an orchard 
pest in the United States was Mr. Townsend Glover,! Entomologist 
of the U. S. Dept. of Agriculture, who in May, 1872, received 
specimens of its work from a correspondent. Under his direction 
Mr. Thomas Taylor, microscopist, examined some of the pear 
leaves covered with dark brown blotches, which were said to be 
inhabited by myriads of small mites. ‘The species was thought to 
be somewhat similar to the mite mentioned by Packard as “ the 
Typhlodromus pyri of Scheuten,” known to infest pear trees in 
Europe. 
Before the meeting of the American Association for the Advance- 
ment of Science held at Saratoga, N. Y., August 1879, Dr. W. S. 
Barnard’ presented a paper on “bud blight insects,” attributing 
the brown and black blotches of pear leaves to the activities of 
mites. 
In 1880, Prof. Burrill called attention to a widespread disease 
of pear leaves in Illinois and in the country at large which was 
ascribed to the work of the mite, Phytoptus pyri. He mentions the 
fact of the hibernation of the mites under bud scales, and their 
probable dissemination in scions and buds. For the protection of 
affected trees the removal of the one year old wood and its destruc- 
tion by burning was suggested as a practical and efficient remedy. 
In succeeding years the work of this species was recognized in 
many States and was given widespread mention. In 1883° the 
mite was observed in large numbers upon imported Russian pear 
trees in experimental nurseries in Iowa. By 1886, the work of 
this creature was known in Michigan, and that year Prof. C. P. 
*U. S. Dept: Agr. Ropt.,. 1872, p. 113. | i 
* Packard’s Guide, 1860. ie 
* Scientific American (Supplement No. 207), p. 3302, Dec., 1879. i 
*Gardener’s Monthly, 22:18-19. Jan. 1880. 
* Osborn, H., Iowa State Hort. Soc. Rpt., 18:127-135, 1883. Ibid. Towa Ag. 
Coll. Bull. 2, p. 56, 1884. 
