During recent years a great deal of research work has been carried out in connection with the control of the black currant gall mite Eriophyes ribis (Westw.) Nal. This work has necessarily included the very careful study of the mites themselves, in order that the life-cycle might be fully understood, with the final object of trying to exterminate the mites at a period when they offered least resistance and were not living within the buds, which afford them adequate protection.

While examining some black currant bushes in the late spring and summer months of 1923, in order to locate the position and determine the habits of the mites during that season, a rather peculiar form of mite was noticed to be present in small numbers. This new mite, when examined in the field, appeared to be very much stouter and of a darker colour than the familiar black currant gall mite. However, for some time it was regarded as being an immature stage of the common species. After some months this mite turned up again in greater numbers, and it was decided to examine it in detail in the Laboratory. The species proved to be a new one belonging to the genus Phyllocoptes.