Laboratory Rearing Methods for Three Common Species of Bird Mites

Abstract

In connection with virus transmission studies now in progress, living bird mites were required in various stages of development. To fulfill this need, colonies of Liponyssus sylviarum Canestrini and Fanzago and Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer) were established from specimens collected in Kansas and Colorado by Mr. Virgil Miles of the Midwestern CDC Services. Specimens for starting a colony of Liponyssus bursa (Berlese) were obtained in the vicinity of Montgomery, Ala. by the authors.