Sarcoptes
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Sarcoptes mites are burrowing mites of dogs and foxes. They Cause Sarcoptic Mange.
Recognition
Sarcoptes mites are small, round mites. They have short legs that project only a short distance from the body margin. They have dorsal spines arranged in rows and a terminal anus. The male mites are about 250μm in length and the females are about 400-430μm in length.
Life cycle
Sarcoptes mites have a 3 week life cycle. The female lays eggs in the epidermis in an egg laying pocket. The female feeds on liquid oozing from damaged tissue. The eggs then hatch in 1 week and 6 legged larvae are released. They crawl to skin surface and then burrow back into the epidermis into moulting pockets. The larvae moult to become 8 legged nymphs. The nymphs moult twice before becoming adults. Adult males then emerge and look for females to mate
Cause Sarcoptic Mange