Leptus Autunmalis. Argas Reflexus. 981 



the fields and shrubs; its oval mite-like body is furnished with 

 three pairs of legs. It occurs in fowls in the summer and 

 autumn, in the region of the roots of the feathers. Although 

 the parasite only remains on the body of the animal for a few 

 days, it causes the formation of little red pustules, and also 

 itching, which is so intense that fowls, especially young birds, 

 may have epileptiform spasms and die in a few days. More 

 rarely the parasites cause little red nodules and pustules upon 

 which reddish colored mites are found; the eruption may occur 

 especially on the head, the inner surfaces of the thighs, the 

 lower chest and abdomen, also in the region of the genital organs, 

 and at times over the whole body (Roth, Liel)ert) ; later on bald 

 spots develop, accompanied usually by moderate itching. (The 

 assertion of Roth that dogs are frequently infested with Leptus 

 autumnalis, is only true of certain localities.) 



In horses the parasite at times causes an inflammatory 

 eczematous condition. 



Literature. Liebert, D. t. W., 1909, 501.— Eoth, W. f. Tk., 1906, 341 (Lit.)- 



5. Argas reflexus. (A. marginatus, mussel-shaped seam 

 tick.) An ovoid parasite 6 mm. long, blackish colored in the 

 middle, at the edges yellowish (Fig. 159), which is prevalent all 

 over Europe and extremely tenacious of life, being able to live 

 and even to multiply from 14 to 24 

 months without sucking blood in the in- 

 terval (Railliet, Grhiliani). It lives in 

 the day in the crevices of pigeon cotes, 

 but at night wanders onto the body of 

 the pigeon and sucks blood. It attacks 

 young birds especially, which may die 

 after 8 to 15 days in consequence of un- 

 rest and loss of blood. Its larvfB also 

 remain on the body of the birds for a 

 long time, or do not leave them at all. 

 At times chickens, ducks and geese are ^^'^s- ^^^- -J-'i/"^^ reflexus. 

 attacked. It may even infest the body ""''^'"''^ 'UTryT' '^^^"" 

 of persons attending pigeons and causes 



painful bite wounds as well as edematous swelling on the skin. 

 The parasite transmits the spirochaetosis of fowls in Bulgaria 

 and on the Island of Cyprus. 



The Argas persicus occurs in Persia and also in Tunis, and is the 

 intermediary of the spirochetosis of chickens. The birds are affected by 

 this mite in the same manner as by the A. reflexus. According to Carr6, 

 ite larva live very frequently on chickens in Persia. After a slight in- 

 vasion the parasite is found almost exclusively on the inside of the thighs 

 and wings, whence it passes on to the sides of the body. After an inten- 

 sive invasion one finds it all over, except in the region of the eye, and 

 then they form mulberry-shaped groups, giving the appearance as if 



