UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 
& BULLETIN No. 553 
Contribution from the Bureau of Entomology 
L. O. HOWARD, Chief 
Washington, D. C. 
August 10, 1917 
V 
THE CHICKEN MITE: 1 ITS LIFE HISTORY AND 
HABITS. 
By H. P. Wood, Entomological Assistant, Insects Affecting Health of Animals, 
Bureau of Entomology. ' 
Rearing methods used in life-history experi- 
ments 1 
Life history 2 
Life-cycle experiments 4 
Discussion of results of life-cy cle experiments . 7 
Longevity 8 
Feeding and hiding habits of mites 9 
CONTENTS. 
Page. 
Passing the winter 
Enemies 
Dispersion 
Other hosts 
Food other than blood 
Conditions favorable for propagation of mites 
Summary of life history 
Tago. 
11 
11 
11 
12 
12 
13 
13 
In the present bulletin no attempt has been made to give an exhaus- 
tive study of the life history of the chicken mite ; rather the aim has 
been to work out the main points in the life cycle of this pest and to 
discover principles upon which combative 2 measures may be based. 3 
REARING METHODS USED IN LIFE-HISTORY EXPERIMENTS. 
The method of feeding the mites was simple. A large earthen j ar, 
in which a small roost was put, was utilized for a breeding cage. The 
jar was set in a pan of water in order to prevent the escape of the 
mites, and a coarse-mesh wire screen was fastened over the top to 
hold the chicken in the jar. When it was desired to feed the mites 
they were either dropped in the bottom of the jar or else put on the 
fowl's back. Easy access was thus obtained to the host, and seldom if 
ever were hungry mites seen in the jar after being one night with the 
chicken. Sheets of paper were put in the bottom of the jar to collect 
the manure and some of the mites. Most of the fed mites were found 
about the roost in cracks prepared for them. 
1 Dermanyssus gallinae Redi. 
2 See Farmer's Bulletin No. 801, United States Department of Agriculture. 
3 To Mr. F. C. Bishopp the writer wishes to express appreciation for direction and, 
helpful suggestions obtained in the course of the work. 
87979°— 17 
