Knemidokoptes pilae

Knemidokoptes pilae is a representative of the mites, the beak of parrots as a parasite - especially budgies - populated and the so-called Schnabelräude triggers.

Morphology

K. pilae are roundish - oval mites. The males are up to 220 microns long and 150 microns wide, females up to 356 microns long and 300 microns wide. The four pairs of legs are short and stubby shaped and have five members. Males carry on the ends of the limbs unarticulated detention stems and Haftnäpfe, females on the other hand claws.

Way of life

K. pilae lives of horny substance of infected birds they dissolve with the help of a keratinase. The mites sit primarily in the area of the cere and beak angle. They live permanently in their host, the infecting other hosts is performed by a contact infection.

The viviparous females drill programs in the epidermis and give birth there, six-legged larvae, which make up about two eight-legged nymphal stages eventually molt to adults.