PARASITOLOGY PRACTICAL 2 - MITES
Learning Outcomes
In the practical spot exam you are likely to be given one or more examples of a mite to identify and comment on. The specimen may be set up for easy viewing on a microscope slide, or a photograph.
The question will provide some clinical history which is useful for the identification and will ask for the identity of the specimen and for information about what type of damage it causes or what stage in the life cycle is it, etc.
Important types of mites to know how to differentiate are:
Psoroptic type, scab mites, eg. Psoroptes ovis,
Sarcoptic type, mange mites, eg. Sarcoptes of pigs etc., Knemidocoptes of birds.
Demodectic type, follicle mites, Demodex
Dermanyssid type, bird mites, such as Dermanyssus and Ornithonyssus from birds,
Trombiculid type, harvest mites or chigger mites, such as Trombicula
Note that you are not expected to know the full species names of these types of mites unless it has been specified in the practical handouts, thus make sure you know the genus name, the species name if relevant, and it is useful to know and state the vernacular name in many cases.
Demonstration material Answers to worksheet questions