What are red mites? - briefly
Red mites are small, vividly colored arachnids of the family Trombidiidae that inhabit soil, leaf litter, and often act as ectoparasites on mammals and birds. Depending on the species, they feed on tiny arthropods, eggs, or host blood.
What are red mites? - in detail
Red mites belong to the family Dermanyssidae, a group of hematophagous arachnids that feed on the blood of birds, mammals, and occasionally humans. The most common species affecting domestic poultry is Dermanyssus gallinae, often called the poultry red mite. Adult individuals measure 0.3–0.5 mm, possess a reddish‑brown coloration, and have a dorsoventrally flattened body adapted for rapid movement through feather gaps and skin folds.
The life cycle comprises egg, larva, protonymph, deutonymph, and adult stages. Eggs are laid in concealed crevices; after 3–5 days they hatch into six‑legged larvae that do not feed. Subsequent nymphal stages acquire eight legs and begin blood‑feeding, each stage lasting 1–3 days under optimal temperature (25–30 °C) and humidity (70–80 %). Adults survive up to 5 weeks without a host, allowing persistence in empty housing.
Key biological traits:
- Host specificity: Primarily birds, especially chickens; occasional infestations on mammals and humans.
- Feeding behavior: Nocturnal; mites emerge from hiding places at night to bite, retreat before daylight.
- Reproductive capacity: A single female can produce 30–50 eggs per clutch; multiple clutches per lifetime.
- Environmental resilience: Eggs remain viable for several months; adults tolerate short periods of desiccation.
Economic and health impacts include reduced egg production, weight loss, increased mortality in poultry, and allergic reactions or dermatitis in humans exposed to large mite populations. Infestations spread rapidly in intensive farming systems where high animal density and inadequate sanitation provide suitable habitats.
Control strategies focus on integrated pest management:
- Sanitation: Remove organic debris, clean nesting material, and maintain low humidity.
- Chemical treatment: Apply acaricides approved for poultry environments, rotating active ingredients to prevent resistance.
- Physical methods: Use heat (≥ 45 °C) or freezing to treat infested equipment and bedding.
- Biological agents: Introduce predatory mites (Hypoaspis miles) or entomopathogenic fungi that target red mite populations.
- Monitoring: Install sticky traps to assess infestation levels and evaluate treatment efficacy.
Understanding the morphology, life cycle, and environmental requirements of red mites enables precise identification and effective mitigation, protecting animal welfare and minimizing economic loss.