112 PROC. ENT. SOC. WASH., VOL. 49, NO. 4, APRIL, 1947 by a foveate groove and very finely punctato-aciculate, the bisecting groove wider and marginate. Legs in general as in male but without modifications. Fore tarsi not flattened but somewhat compressed and with heavy sericeous pile be-neath. Middle and hind tibiae more strongly spinose on outer faces; middle tibiae with a distinct apical calcar; middle metatarsi straight, elongate, subequal in length to four distal segments combined, and with-out row of spinules beneath. Longer hind tibial calcar one-half length of slender, compressed, elongate hind metatarsi which are one and an eighth the length of four distal segments combined. Abdomen fusiform. Last tergite with pygidial area narrowed, ex-cavate and canaliculate apically, the lateral margins with fringes of aeneous setulae. This insular form is apparently generally distributed througfhout New Caledonia. ATRICHOLAELAPS MEGAVENTEALIS, A NEW SPECIES OF PARASITIC MITE (Acarina, Laelaptidae) By E. W. Strandtmann Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, University of Texas School of Medicine, Galveston, Texas In the collection of Atricholaelops loaned to me for study by the U. S. National Museum was a series of a distinctive species long recognized as new by both H. E. Ewing and E. W. Baker, but which for one reason or another remained un-described. Recently this mite has been sent in frequently from various typhus research projects for determination and a name for it has become necessary. I wish to extend my thanks to the above mentioned men and to H. B. Morlan, H. D. Pratt, R. B. Eads, and others who have so kindly sent me additional specimens. Atricholaelaps megaventralis, new species Female. — Length, exclusive of gnathasoma, about 665 m; width about 431 M. Ventral side (Fig. 4) : The sternal plate is similar to that of other species of the genus. It is broader than long, averaging 119 At wide by 92 M long at the narrowest points. It bears the usual three pairs of setae and two pairs of pores. The endopodal plates are distinct but quite slender. The genitoventral plate is very large for the genus and closely approaches the anal plate. It bears one pair of setae and has the usual configuration of light lines. Its length, when measured from the base of the sternal plate is about 226 M. The width at the widest point is 154 M. The anal plate is roundly triangular with a slightly concave anterior margin. The anus is nearer the posterior seta than to the an-terior margin. It measures 98 M from the anterior margin to the pos-terior seta and about 105 m in width at the widest point. There are
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