A New Gamasid (Acarina: Mesostigmata) Inhabiting the Tympanic Organs of Phalaenid Moths

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Abstract
Myrmonyssus phalaenodectes is described, type from Pseudaletia unipuncta in Massachusetts. Out of a total of more than 1000 moths examined, 159 infested individuals were found. The highest incidence was in moths of the genus Leucania and the closely related genus Pseudaletia. Moths of various families having tympanic organs were examined, but the mites were found only on Phalaenidae. The mode of transfer was not discovered. In almost all cases, the colony infested the tympanic area on only 1 side. The damage inflicted upon the host does not appear to be very serious, except in the rare bilateral infestations, when no evidence of auditory function could be obtained. In the usual cases, however, no serious impairment of the auditory sense was detected, and infested moths fed and flew without obvious abnormality. Behavior of the mites in the tympanic cavity is described in detail.
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