Psoroptes

Psoroptes
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Class	Arachnida
Sub-class	Acari
Order	Sarcoptiformes
Family	Psoroptidae
Genus	Psoroptes

Psoroptes is an oval shaped, astigmatic, non-burrowing mite, causing psoroptic skin infestation in cattle, sheep, horses and rabbits. The most common species of Psoroptes seen within the UK are Psoroptes ovis, and Psoroptes cuniculi.

Psoroptes cuniculi (Copyright Joel Mills, Wikimedia Commons)

Identification

Psoroptes is an oval shaped, with legs longer than those seen in burrowing mites. The males have a pair of copulatory suckers. It is of the family Psoroptidae.

Life cycle

Psoroptes are confined to the skin surface, and feed on serous exudate by a siphoning process.

The Adult female is capable of laying up to 100 eggs during her life time, which is usually just one month. The duration of the life cycle is around 10 days, and consists of two nymphal stages.

Psoroptes Learning Resources
Vetstream To reach the Vetstream content, please select	Canis, Felis, Lapis or Equis
Flashcards Test your knowledge using flashcard type questions	Mites Flashcards
Literature Search Search for recent publications via CAB Abstract (CABI log in required)	Psoroptes publications