Ornithonyssus Sylviarum Research Articles

Sources of Northern Fowl Mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) Infestation in Ontario Egg Production Facilities

In the poultry industry, northern fowl mites are generally though to survive poorly once they have left the bird. However, several researchers have found mites infesting equipment or surviving off-host for up to 2 wk. Our work demonstrates that large numbers of mites can be found on cage equipment in poultry houses, and if an acaricide application is not a part of the cleanout program at the end of the production cycle, there is a good chance that mites will survive to infest the next flock. A province-wide inspection of 16- to 18-wk-old pullets indicated that a new mite infestation was more likely to originate from the production facility than the pullet rearing facility. However, a previous investigation found a pullet flock infested with mites, indicating that pullet facilities were not completely free of responsibility. In order to reduce the chance of future infestations of northern fowl mites, it is necessary to incorporate an acaricidal treatment to prevent them from surviving cleanout procedures in egg production facilities and, if necessary, pullet rearing facilities.

Incidence of the Parasitism of Chicken Mite Dermanyssus gallinae Parasitizing and Propagating on Chicken Even in the Daytime and Their Life Cycle.

The incidence of the parasitism of chicken mites Dermanyssus gallinae parasitizing and propagating on chickens day and night was observed in a chicken farm. The incidence of the parasitism was induced by the artificial inoculation of protonymphs hatched from eggs of chicken mites parasitizing in the daytime on chickens. Furthermore, their life cycle was clarified.1. It was observed in a chicken farm that the parasitism of northern fowl mites occurred on chickens, subsequently northern fowl mites and chicken mites were found on the same chickens and finally the chickens were parasitized with chicken mites alone. Chicken mites parasitized and propagated on the chickens day and night without leaving the chickens before daybreak.2. The parasitism of chicken mites on chickens even in the daytime was established irrespective of the presence or absence of parasitic northern fowl mites when the protonymphs of chicken mites parasitizing in the daytime were inoculated artificially on chickens. The number of chicken mites parasitized on the chickens increased when the chickens were parasitized preliminarily with northern fowl mites.3. The life cycle of the chicken mites parasitizing and propagating on the chickens day and night was the same as that of common chicken mites which sucked blood from chickens at night and left them before daybreak.

B28 換気扇から侵入したトリサシダニの起因による皮膚炎発生

B28 換気扇から侵入したトリサシダニの起因による皮膚炎発生

The New Parasitic Ecology of Chicken Mites Dermanyssus gallinae, Parasitizing and Propagating on Chickens Even in the Daytime.

It happened to be found that two kinds of organisms parasitized on chickens in the daytime. As a result of morphological studies by using optical and scanning electron microscopes, the organisms parasitizing on chickens were identified to be chicken mites Dermanyssus gallinae and northern fowl mites Ornithonyssus sylviarum. Some chickens were parasitized with both the two species of organisms and the others were parasitized with either chicken mites or nothern fowl mites.In the daytime, numerous eggs, larvae, protonymphs, deutonymphs and adults of chicken mites were detectable on chickens parasitized with chicken mites alone. Their eggs, larvae protonymphs and deutonymphs were collected in the daytime, and raised to the adult stage. As a result of morphological investigation, all of them were found to be chicken mites. The results of these morphological and ecological studies proved that the chicken mites remained on chicken bodies even in the daytime. The chicken mites parasitized and propagated on chickens day and night.It was also recognized that the pteryla most heavily parasitized with the chicken mites was the medial abdominal tract and the pteryla parasitized slightly was the crural tract. When chickens were parasitized with chicken mites extremely heavily, dozens of feathers of the medial abdominal tract were covered with chicken mites and their waste. The feathers bristled up, some of which forming a cluster on the tip. Numerous organisms in each growing stage of chicken mite were detected at the cluster.Chicken mites parasitizing on chickens in the daytime were surveyed in chicken farms. Mites were found in 7 flocks at 4 farms out of 54 flocks at 17 farms surveyed. Chicken mites parasitized on 328 (46.9%) of laying chickens, and chicken mites with northern fowl mites were also parasitized on 34 (4.9%) laying chickens out of 700 surveyed totally. This suggests that it is not rare and special that the chicken mites parasitize and propagate on chickens day and night.

換気扇フードに営巣したハクセキレイからのトリサシダニによる刺咬症の 2 例について

換気扇フードに営巣したハクセキレイからのトリサシダニによる刺咬症の 2 例について

The effect of ectoparasite nest load on the breeding biology of the Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus

In this study we investigated the importance of ectoparasite load in the nest on the breed‐ing system of the Penduline Tit Remiz pendulinus, examining the effect of mite abundance in the nest on mate choice, reproductive success and parental effort. The two most common ectoparasites were the Northern Fowl Mite Dermanyssus hirundinis and the Northern Feather Mite Ornithonyssus sylviarum. The results show that mite load is important in mate choice but has no adverse effect on reproductive success. The results also indicate that infestation level is related to the quality of the male (mask‐width). Parental feeding rate was negatively related to mite load. This relationship indicated that Penduline Tits did not compensate for higher parasite loads by increasing feeding but rather reflected the con dition of the parent and its investment in self‐maintenance behaviour.

Are avian ectoparasites more numerous in nest boxes with old nest material?

Researchers may reduce the numbers of haematophagous ectoparasites in nest boxes of cavity-nesting birds by removing old nests from boxes and, as a result, eliminate an important selective pressure that could influence the results from nest-box studies of birds. We recorded the numbers of parasites in tree swallow (Tachycineta bicolor) boxes in which we manipulated the presence, amount, and quality of old nests. Bird fleas (Ceratophyllus idius) were more numerous in boxes with old nests, and there was a positive correlation between nest volume and flea numbers. In one year, there was a positive association between fowl mite (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) numbers and nest volume; otherwise, fowl mites and blow flies (Protocalliphora sialia) were equally numerous in all nest types. We conclude that ectoparasites whose over-winter survival depends on old nests are more numerous in boxes with old nests, whereas parasites whose over-winter survival is independent of old nests infect nest sites randomly. Also, reinfection and nest microclimate likely contributed to variance in parasite numbers between nest types and years, respectively. We recommend caution when speculating about the possible effects of cleaning boxes on parasites that occur in nests because different species of parasites are not influenced similarly by old nests.

Spring migratory birds (Aves) extend the northern occurrence of blacklegged tick (Acari:Ixodidae).

Birds that had migrated northward across Lake Superior were captured upon reaching landfall at Thunder Cape (48 degrees 18' N, 88 degrees 56' W) at the southwestern tip of the Sibley Peninsula, northwestern Ontario, from 9 May to 9 June 1995. Twenty-one of 530 birds examined (6 of 55 species) had a total of 34 ticks; 1 blue jay, Cyanocitta cristata, had a northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini & Fanzago). Four blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis Say, larvae were found on an American robin, Turdus migratorius, and 2 on a chipping sparrow, Spizella passerina. This tick was not found on small mammals at Thunder Cape. Twenty-six larvae and a nymph of the rabbit tick, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris (Packard) were found on 1 American robin, 2 Swainson's thrushes, Catharus ustulatus, 1 white-throated sparrow, Zonotrichia albicollis, 1 common yellowthroat, Geothlypis trichas, 1 blue jay, and 12 chipping sparrows. A nymph of H. chordeilis (Packard) occurred on 1 chipping sparrow. Results demonstrate that northward migrating birds transport larvae of I. scapularis to areas of Ontario where the tick does not appear to have become established in small mammal populations. Spring migrants may be more involved in the dispersal of I. scapularis larvae than previously thought. Cooler temperatures and shorter seasons experienced in the more northerly, continental parts of the established distribution of this tick may extend the life cycle, resulting in a predominance of larvae rather than nymphs being acquired by northward-bound birds in early spring. Consequently, the role of spring migrating birds in the northward spread of I. scapularis and of borreliosis should be reevaluated.

Old Nest Material in Nestboxes of Tree Swallows: Effects on Reproductive Success

Researchers studying hole-nesting birds breeding in nestboxes typically remove old nests from boxes. In natural cavities, old nest material accumulates with successive use. Here, we report on a two-year experiment concerned with the effects of the accumulation ofused nest material in nestboxes on the reproductive success of Tree Swallows (Tachycineta bicolor). Tree Swallows nested in clean boxes, boxes with old, unmanipulated material, and in boxes with old nests that had been microwaved to kill parasites inside. Bird fleas (Ceratophyllus idius) were more numerous in boxes with old nest material compared to clean boxes in both years. Reproductive output and nestling size were significantly reduced in the second year of the study, possibly because of higher numbers of bird fleas in two box-types that year. However, all instances of entire brood loss that year occurred during two periods of extreme weather, so we cannot distinguish between the possible effects of parasites and climate. In one year, the swallows nested later in boxes with old material. Otherwise, nesting phenology, reproductive output, and nestling size were not different between pairs using boxes with and without old material in either year. In both years, there was a significant, positive correlation between clutch size and cavity size. Contrary to some recent studies, there were no significant associations between the numbers of fowl mites (Ornithonyssus sylviarum), bird fleas, or blowflies (Protocalliphora sialia) per nestling, and any measures of reproductive output or nestling size in either year. We discuss our results in light of a recent critique of studies of birds breeding in nestboxes.

In vitro feeding of northern fowl mites on beef and swine blood

Entomologia Experimentalis et ApplicataVolume 72, Issue 2 p. 193-195 In vitro feeding of northern fowl mites on beef and swine blood J. F. Carroll, J. F. Carroll USDA, ARS, Livestock Insects Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USASearch for more papers by this authorK. W. Young, K. W. Young USDA, ARS, Livestock Insects Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USASearch for more papers by this author J. F. Carroll, J. F. Carroll USDA, ARS, Livestock Insects Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USASearch for more papers by this authorK. W. Young, K. W. Young USDA, ARS, Livestock Insects Laboratory, Beltsville, MD 20705, USASearch for more papers by this author First published: August 1994 https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1570-7458.1994.tb01818.xAboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Volume72, Issue2August 1994Pages 193-195 RelatedInformation

Feeding deterrence of northern fowl mites (acari: Macronyssidae) by some naturally occurring plant substances

AbstractEighteen of 21 naturally occurring compounds and plant extracts tested in an in‐vitro feeding system deterred northern fowl mites, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini and Fanzago), from feeding. At 1.0% (w/v) concentrations in chicken blood, five compounds killed all mites exposed to them. Citronellal and bay extract prevented mite feeding completely at 0.1% concentrations. None of the compounds or extracts had repellent activity when mites were surrounded by a ring of the test material (0–42 mgcm−2) impregnated in filter paper.

Antibody development against northern fowl mites (Acari: Macronyssidae) in chickens.

This study reports the development of an antibody against protein(s) from the tissue of the northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini & Fanzago). Northern fowl mite proteins were obtained by affinity chromatography and used for immunization. Western blot analysis identified proteins that were reactive with sera from birds immunized with the antigen; this indicated that serum antibodies against the northern fowl mite had been produced. Chickens that had been immunized or infested, or both, with the northern fowl mite produced sera that were reactive with a 100 kilodalton (kD) protein. The response was greater if the chicken had been immunized with the antigen and infested with the northern fowl mite. Experimentally immunized and infested chickens experienced limited decreases in the levels of northern fowl mite infestation. Survival of bloodfed mites after ingestion of the immune chicken blood was assessed in an in vitro feeding study using blood-filled parafilm sacs; minor differences in northern fowl mite feeding tendencies were noted. The chickens developed antibodies to the northern fowl mite proteins, but this immunity did not decrease the infestation level or in vitro feeding.

Simple in-vitro feeding system for northern fowl mites (Acari: Macronyssidae).

The use of Parafilm membranes for in-vitro feeding of northern fowl mites, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini & Fanzago), is described. A membrane stretched in two perpendicular directions, folded, heat-sealed, inflated, and twisted at the ends to form a sphere allowed a high percentage (greater than 80%) of surviving adult female mites to feed on whole chicken blood. A high percentage (7 of 10) of protonymphs also fed through the membrane. Mites were able to feed from the same sac for 3 d and oviposited on the sac. This technology has potential applications for use in rearing O. sylviarum and other hematophagous arthropods, and for physiological experimentation.

Chemical control of Ornithonyssus sylviarum on caged layer hens.

Manual application of aqueous solutions of malathion, carbaryl and permethrin controlled northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum Canestrini and Fanzago, on caged layer hens for at least 118 days. Azamethiphos sprayed manually provided acceptable control for a shorter period. Machine application, particularly of azamethiphos, but also malathion, provided lesser control. The addition of surfactant increased the wetting ability of the sprays but interfered with the efficacy of azamethiphos.

Susceptibilities of northern fowl mite,Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Acarina: Macronyssidae), and chicken mite,Dermanyssus gallinae (Acarina: Dermanyssidae), to selected acaricides

The relative toxicities of ten acaricides to northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini and Fanzago), and the chicken mite, Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer), were determined simultaneously by holding the mites inside disposable glass Pasteur pipettes previously immersed in acetone solutions of various concentrations (w/v) of technical grade acaricides. The LC90s (parts per million) of the acaricides after 24 h exposure for the northern fowl mite and the chicken mite, respectively, were: bendiocarb (13.1, 0.18), tetrachlorvinphos (14.5, 4.07), carbaryl (15.0, 0.83), pirimiphos methyl (18.3, 2.03), permethrin (23.1, 8.46), lambda cyhalothrin (80.7, 11.4), dichlorvos (252.8, 3.75), malathion (238.4, 6.59), amitraz (6741, 9430) and fenvalerate (greater than 10,000, 60.2). After 48 h exposure there were only slight increases in mortalities of both species except for increased mortalities for the northern fowl mite with lambda cyhalothrin, amitraz and fenvalerate, and for the chicken mite with amitraz.

Impact of selected pesticides on field population dynamics of parasitic Hymenoptera (Pteromalidae) in caged‐layer poultry manure in southern California, U.S.A.

Field studies were conducted at caged-layer poultry facilities in southern California, U.S.A., to determine the effect of selected pesticides on beneficial Pteromalidae. Weekly parasite sampling was conducted using sentinel Musca domestica L. pupae to assess changes in parasitization in relation to pesticide treatment. Sites were sampled weekly for 5 weeks before treatment and for 8-10 weeks post-treatment. Treatments were applied twice to six hen houses (four treated plus two controls) at each of two sites. Treatments were: (1) dimethoate (0.5%), spot-treatment to wet areas only (approximately 5-10% of manure surface); (2) dimethoate (0.5%), entire manure surface; (3) cyromazine (0.1%), entire manure surface; and (4) permethrin (0.05%) applied to all hens in the house for northern fowl mite [Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Canestrini and Fanzago)]. The two discrete pesticide applications during an 8-day period had no significant effect on activity of Muscidifurax spp. and Spalangia spp. at either site.

Host Immune Response to Northern Fowl Mite: Immunoblot and Lectin Blot Identification of Mite Antigens

White leghorn hens were experimentally infested with northern fowl mites (Ornithonyssus sylviarum) and antibody responses to mite immunogens were monitored over 12 weeks. Mite burdens increased during the early phase of infestation and declined over the latter weeks of the study. Antigen was prepared from homogenized whole mites, which were then sonicated and extracted with non-ionic detergent. Antigen extract was fractionated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and antibody-reactive polypeptides were identified by immunoblotting. At the start of infestation, hens had natural, pre-existing antibodies that reacted with several mite-extract components. Individual hens had different natural antibody reactivities; however, all birds had immunoglobulins reactive with extract polypeptides of 117,000, 77,000 and 36,000 molecular weight. A variety of mite extract components reacted with hen antibodies generated in response to experimental infestation. The number of antibody-reactive mite polypeptides increased through week 8 of infestation and then decreased by week 12. Fifteen polypeptides of northern fowl mite extract were reactive with antibodies developed by the majority of infested birds. These commonly reactive polypeptides had molecular weights ranging from 40,000 to 160,000. Glycoconjugates of fractionated mite extract were identified by blotting with lectins that have different carbohydrate binding specificities. Also identified were lectins that bound extract components with the same molecular weights as those moieties complexed by immunoglobulins of infested birds.

Recent developments in the chemotherapy of parasitic infections of poultry

Pyrethroids (permethrin, cypermethrin, flumethrin, deltamethrin) are very effective against Dermanyssid mites (northern fowl mites, red mites). Permethrin sprays are also effective against lice, fleas and other pests like the lesser mealworm and flies. In some experiments, however, medication with established drugs has given more favourable results. In birds, avermectins (abarmectin and ivermectin) have shown a similar broad spectrum of activity as in mammals. Nematode infections in poultry can be controlled by both drugs, but their use in intensive production is unlikely. However, ivermectin was efficacious against mange mites and respiratory mites in budgerigars and canaries and is likely to be used in the therapy of pet birds. Maduramicin is a new ionophorous anticoccidial for use in broiler chickens. Satisfactory control has been observed against isolates of Eimeria tolerant (partly resistant) to other ionophorous antibiotics. Toltrazuril, a non-ionophorous anticoccidial, has been used for therapy of clinical coccidiosis in a variety of bird species and for the prophylaxis of coccidiosis in broilers. It may be given in the drinking water as a n intermittent treatment. Diclazuril, an anticoccidial for use in broiler diets, is currently under investigation. Observations have shown control of Eimeria isolates tolerant to ionophorous drugs and efficacy against all major Eimeria spp. in the chicken. The new generation of insecticides, acaricides, nematocides and anticoccidials is a welcome addition to current control programmes.

Research Note: Development of Precipitating Antibody in Chickens Experimentally Infested with Northern Fowl Mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum (Acari: Macronyssidae)

In order to examine the immune response of chickens to different population levels of mites, a microscopic slide modification of the Ouchterlony double-gel diffusion technique was adopted for examination of circulating antibody against the extract of northern fowl mite, Ornithonyssus sylviarum. Precipitating antibodies were detected in all the chickens infested with the mite. One to three clearly defined precipitation lines appeared in almost all the serum samples of infested birds. Titers of antibody correlated with population levels of the mite on chickens, and no differences in antibody development of hens and roosters were distinguished. These results suggest that the titration of precipitating antibodies appears to be useful for the assessment of mite population levels on chickens.

Immunoparasitology in Avian Species

There has been no work on the immunological response of birds to helminth infections since the late 1960s, an area of investigation that has been too long ignored. Similarly, studies of arthropod-mediated responses in birds are lacking except for a few scattered investigations. Recently, a serum antibody response has been seen against one arthropod, the northern fowl mite. The appearance of antibodies recognizing an 8–10 kilodalton mite antigen seems to correlate with a reduction in the mite population on infested chickens. Most of the studies on parasite immunity in avian species have centered on the economically important Eimeria species, protozoan parasites that infect the intestine of chickens and turkeys. These investigations encompass wide areas of interest including the effect of immunity on parasite invasion, development of T-cell proliferation assays and T-cell clones, inhibition of parasite penetration and development by hybridoma antibody treatment, production of genetically engineered Eimeria antigens used in bird immunization studies, and studies using inbred or congenic lines of birds to determine what effect the major histocompatibility complex has on parasite immunity. From these efforts it has been learned that not only is the immunity species-specific, but also depending on where in the intestine the parasite invades, penetration is either not affected or inhibited by as much as 50%. The T-cell proliferation assays suggest that this specificity may be due to a species-specific T-cell response. Immunization studies using a genetically engineered antigen have indicated that at least partial protection against one species of Eimeria is possible. Studies done with the inbred congenic lines of birds have shown that the genetic makeup of the bird is important in how it responds to either a natural infection or to immunization with a genetically engineered antigen. Clearly, these results show not only the complexity of the bird response to parasite infection, but also the amount of work still undone.