Dermanyssus gallinae
Phylum Arthropoda
Order Mesostigmata
Family Dermanyssidae
Genus Dermanyssus
Species D.gallinae
Dermanyssus gallinae mite (García 2007, Wikimedia commons)
Dermanyssus gallinae mite, 1mm long. (Furado 2007, Wikimedia commons)

Dermanyssus gallinae are red surface mites of poultry. They spend most of their time off the host and the adults can survive several months without feeding. Their life cycle takes 1 week. The adult and nymph mites visit poultry at night to feed.

Identification

Dermanyssus 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.

Pathogenesis

Dermanyssus gallinae are blood sucking mites, causing lesions usually found on the breast and legs. Their presence can cause irritation, restlessness, decrease in egg production. If they are present in large numbers, they can cause anaemia. Newly hatched chicks can rapidly die if infested.

Treatment

The mites can be treated using Acaricide, environmental treatment and the removal of wild bird nests.