Dermanyssus gallinae
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Dermanyssus gallinae are red surface mites of poultry.
Identification
- Spider like mite with long legs
- White or grey
- Becomes red when engorged with blood after feeding
- Few hairs on body
- Hooks on legs
Pathogenesis
- Blood sucking mite
- Lesions usually found on the breast and legs
- Irritation, restlessness, decrease in egg production
- Anaemia can result if mites are present in large numbers
- Newly hatched chicks can rapidly die if infested
Treatment
- Acaricide
- Environmental treatment
- Remove wild bird nests
- Spends most of time off the host
- Adults and nymphs visit poultry at night to feed
- Life cycle takes 1 week
- Adults can survive several months without feeding so reservoirs can build up