Mites, hitherto unrecorded in South Africa, collected in Natal from fowls, pigeons, turkeys, guinea-fowls, wild birds and rabbits

Abstract

The occurrence of seventeen mites has been recorded apparently for the first time in South Africa. Cheyletiella parasitivorax has also been included, having been recorded only from Onderstepoort. These mites are apparently widespread over the Union and it is likely that many other species are present. With the exception of Syringophilus bipectinatus and S. columbae, which produce marked distortion and malnutrition of the feathers, all the rest of the mites are apparently harmless as far as setting up lesions are concerned. It is, however, possible that gross infestations may set up "mite worry" in the hosts and so help reduce their vitality, causing debility and anaemia. The claim by other authors, that feather mites damage the barbs of the feathers, has not been confirmed, and it is thought that biting lice are more likely to be the culprits.