Bulletin 106 - The Red-Legged Velvet Earth Mite

Authors

L. J. Newman, Western Australia Department of Agriculture

Files

Publication Date

1923

Series Number

106

Abstract

This pest is sometimes called in error the "Red Spider" or the 'Earth Flea."

It is neither a spider nor a flea, being a species of mite.

It belongs to the family of mites known as the Eupodidae and to the Genus Notophallus. Many of the members of this family are predaceous, that is, they live upon other insects or animals, but the species we are dealing with appears to be wholly a plant feeder. A popular idea is that the mite lives and breeds in the earth. The rapidity with which newly planted vegetables become infested gives good excuse for this idea, which I consider to be erroneous. I have never observed this mite to make any attempt to burrow into the soil. They may gather in a hole made by a stake or the stem of the plant, and they will shelter under manure, mulch, rubbish, stones, etc.

Number of Pages

6

Publisher

State of Western Australia (Department of Agriculture)

City

Perth

Keywords

Red legged Velvet Earth Mite, Pests, Vegetables

Disciplines

Agriculture | Entomology | Horticulture | Parasitology

Recommended Citation

Newman, L J. (1923), Bulletin 106 - The Red-Legged Velvet Earth Mite. State of Western Australia (Department of Agriculture), Perth. Bulletin 106.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/bulletins1/10

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