OF WASHINGTON, VOLUME XVII I, 1916 17 



NOTES ON A LITTLE-KNOWN RABBIT EAR-MITE. 1 



(Psoroptes cuniculi Mcgnin.) 



BY A. B. DUCKETT. 

 Truck Crop and Stored Product Insect Investigations. 



Author's abstract. 



During April, 1915, two rabbits used by the Bureau of Ento- 

 mology for experimental purposes died from the effects of rabbit 

 ear mange. The disease was found to be caused by this mite, 

 not previously recorded in America, and an autopsy showed 

 cerebral disturbances, the mites having penetrated to within five 

 millimeters of the brain. All stages of the mite were found on 

 waste material, such as skin, blood, and wax, and cast skin that had 

 accumulated near the base of the ear passage. This copious sup- 

 ply of organic matter undoubtedly favors development and when 

 once the mites gain a foothold the progeny increase at a prodigious 

 rate. Eggs are laid singly on waste material. The mite which 

 Megnin called P. longirostris var. cuniculi is said by Banks to 

 be a distinct species. Since rabbits afflicted with the disease- 

 show marked symptoms of illness, the writer is of the opinion 

 that this parasite can be greatly curtailed and perhaps entirely 

 subjugated with a little concerted effort on the part of the fanciers. 



In connection with the above species of mite, the writer also 

 records another European mite, Listrophorus gibbus Pasquest, 

 found by Mr. W. H. White in the hair of rabbits. According to 

 Mr. Banks, who determined the species, this is the first record of 

 the occurrence of this mite in America. 



Two HUNDRED AND NINETIETH MEETING, DECEMBER 2, 1915. 



The 290th meeting of the Society was entertained by Mr. W. 

 D. Hunter at the Saengerbund Hall, December 2, 1915. There 

 were present Messrs. Abbott, Boving, Busck, Caudell, Craig- 

 head, Crawford, Cushman, DeGryse, Ely, Fisher, Gahan, Greene. 

 Heidemann, Heinrich, Hopkins, Hunter, Hutchison, Isely, 

 Kewley, Knab, Mclndoo, Middleton, Pierce, Quaintance, Roh- 

 wer, Rust, Sasscer, Schwartz, Shannon, Snyder, Townsend, 

 Turner, Van Dine and Walton members, and A. I. Fabis, R. M. 

 Garner, Max Kisliuk, Alden Speare, and K. H. Townsend visitors. 



The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Presi- 

 dent, Prof. Chas. R. Ely; First Vice-President , Mr. K. R. Sasscer; 



i 

 1 Published in full in Jouni. Amor. Vet. Med. Assoc. 191.?. 



