Mites Injurious to Domestic Animals. 



55 



bare. . . ." Depluming itch occurs both in North America and 

 Europe. Neumann says it is especially prevalent in the spring and 

 during summer, disappearing more or less completely in autumn, 

 and usually making its reappearance in March or April. The typical 

 form of this species {Cnemidocoptes laevis) was described by Eailliet 

 in 1885 from specimens found on a carrier pigeon. Megnin observed 



Fig. 39. 



Cheyletid Mites, (a) Psorergates muscuU (p. 73), parasitic in 



skin of house mouse, dorsal view of male, x 315. (b) Myobia sp. 



(p. 73), a pilicolous mite, dorsal view of male, X 105 \ (After 



Hirst, Studies on Acari, no. 1.) 



a mite causing similar trouble in pheasants, which is, perhaps, a 

 variety (var. fhasiani). Another species (0. prolificus, Eailliet and 

 Henry) occurs on geese in France. 



Bishopp and Wood recommend dipping in the following solu- 

 tion as a cure for depluming itch, for it kills any lice that may be 

 present on the bird in addition to the mites :— Sodium fluoride 

 (chemically pure) |oz. ; flowers of sulphur, 2oz. ; laundry soap 



