- Causes parasitic skin infestation
- Also called the harvest mite
- Not host-specific
- Will parasitise any animal, including humans
- Only the larval stage is parasitic
- Nymphal and adult stages are free-living in the soil
- Mite numbers are highest in late summer in temperate climates
- Mite numbers are constant all year in tropical regions
Recognition
- Six legs
- Bright orange in colour
- Hairy
- No spiracles
- Breath through cuticle
Pathogenesis
- Larvae insert mouthparts into skin and inject cytolytic enzymes
- Feed on partly digested host tissue
- Causes irritation
- Can cause a hypersensitivity reaction
- Mites found on head, ears and flanks of pets
- Mites found on face and limbs of grazing animals (depending upon host height)
Control
- Very difficult; try to restrict access of animals to 'hot-spot' areas
Treatment
- Fipronil spray applied to affected areas