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|species =''D.gallinae''
|species =''D.gallinae''
}}
}}
==Introduction==
==Introduction==
[[Image:Dermanyssus.jpg|thumb|right|250px]] [[Image:Gallinae.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
[[Image:Dermanyssus.jpg|thumb|right|250px]] [[Image:Gallinae.jpg|thumb|right|250px]]
=== Identification ===
Also Known As '''''– Poultry mite – Red poultry mite – Chicken mite'''''
''Dermanyssus gallinae'' are '''red [[Non-Burrowing Mites|surface mites]] of poultry.'''
''D. gallinae'' are spider like mites. They are '''white or grey in colour and become red''' when engorged with blood after feeding. They have few hairs on their body and have hooks on their long legs.
''D. gallinae'' is considered one of the most '''serious pests''' of poultry.
It may also act as a vector for diseases such as [[Salmonellosis]] and [[Borrelia anserina|avian spirochaetosis]] and others in mammalian livestock although this is still poorly understood.
''D. gallinae'' can also be '''zoonotic''', causing dermatitis and skin lesions in people.
==Distribution==
Europe, USA and most of Northern Hemisphere
==Signalment==
The primary host is the chicken but a range of domestic and wild birds can be infected<ref> Moss, W. W (1978) '''The mite genus Dermanyssus: a survey, with description of Dermanyssus trochilinis, n. sp. and a revised key to the species (Acari: Mesostigmata: Dermanyssisdae)'''. J Med Entomology 14:627-640</ref>. The mites can also affect mammals and people<ref>Hoffman, G (1987) '''Vogelmilben als Lästlinge Krankenheitsserzeuger und Vektoren bei Mensch und Nutztier.''' Deutsche Tierärztliche Woschenschrift, 95:7-10.</ref>, usually those close to bird accommodation and infections are usually transient, presenting only when inadequate avian hosts are available.
Chicks and young birds are more susceptible.
==Life Cycle==
''D. gallinae'' progresses through '''5 life stages''': egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph and adult<ref>Maurer, V., Baumgärtner, J (1992). '''Temperature influence on life table statistics of the chicken mite Dermanyssus gallinae (Acari: Dermanyssidae)'''. Experimental & Applied Acarology, 15(1):27-40; 19.</ref>.
Each stage except the larval requires a bloodmeal in order to transform to the next.<ref>Collins, D. S., Cawthorne, R. J. G (1976) '''Mites in poultry houses'''. Agric Northern Ireland, 51:24-26</ref>
Development takes around '''1 week''' in total in optimal conditions. Adults spend most of their time away from the host and can survive several months without feeding. Most bloodfeeding occurs at night.
==Clinical Signs==
''Dermanyssus gallinae'' are '''blood sucking mites''', causing lesions usually found on the breast and legs. Their presence can cause '''pain, irritation, restlessness and a decrease in egg production'''. Pustules, scales, scabs, hyperpigmentation and feather loss may develop locally. If secondary infection occurs, lesions may also exhibit a foul odour.
If they are present in large numbers, they can cause '''[[Anaemia|anaemia]]''' with consequent pallor, weakness and lethargy. Pallor may be especially pronounced in the comb and wattle.
Newly hatched chicks can rapidly die if infested.
==Diagnosis==
Diagnosis is usually based on '''history''' of decreasing egg production, anaemia, mortalities in young or ill birds and the finding of mites on birds (often solely at night) or in the buildings.
Reddish-black drops of mite faeces may be seen on eggs.
Mites can also be attracted to corrugated cardboard traps and thus identified.
==Treatment==
Treatment of mites depends upon [[Ectoparasiticides|ectoparasiticides]], applied directly to hens or to the buildings between flock cycles. Many compounds are effective, but '''food hygiene regulations and withdrawal periods''' should be considered when selecting a treatment. It is advisable to alternate the compound used in order to minimise resistance, which is already emerging.
It should be noted that Ivermectin does not work against ''D. gallinae''.
=== Treatment ===
==Control==
Control is also via environmental and bird applied [[Ectoparasiticides|ectoparasiticides]].
{{Learning
|literature search=
<br> Use these links to find recent scientific publications via CAB Abstracts (log in required unless accessing from a subscribing organisation). <br> [http://www.cabdirect.org/search.html?rowId=1&options1=AND&q1=%22Dermanyssus+gallinae%22&occuring1=title&rowId=2&options2=AND&q2=&occuring2=freetext&rowId=3&options3=AND&q3=&occuring3=freetext&x=39&y=10&publishedstart=yyyy&publishedend=yyyy&calendarInput=yyyy-mm-dd&la=any&it=any&show=all ''Dermanyssus gallinae'' publications]
|flashcards = [[Mites Flashcards]]
}}
== Test yourself with the Mites Flashcards ==
==References==
<references/>
Animal Health & Production Compendium, '''Dermanyssus gallinae datasheet''', accessed 21/06/2011 @ http://www.cabi.org/ahpc/
[[Mites Flashcards|Mites Flashcards]]
[[Category:To Do - CABI review]]
[[Category:Non-Burrowing_Mites]] [[Category:Avian Parasites]]
[[Category:Non-Burrowing_Mites]] [[Category:Avian Parasites]]