VPA 221 Veterinary Entomology and Acarology

PSOROPTIDAE

Species are highly specific to their host unlike Sarcoptidae

Morphologically they may be difficult to distinguish
They cause a condition known as SCAB in animals like sheep, goat, cattle, equines,
cat, rabbit etc
They do not burrow into skin
They are parasitic on surface layer causing the formation of thick heavy scab rather
than thickening of skin
The following species are valid (Sweotman (1958) Can J Zool. 36: 905-929,
Psoroptes ovis Sheep
Psoroptes equi Horse
Psoroptes natalensis Indian water buffalo and cattle
Psoroptes carvinus American sheep
Psoroptes caniculi Rabbit, Cosmopotitan (also occur in ears of goat, sheep,
horse, donkey, mule, gazelle

TANUVAS, 2011
o
f VPA 221 Veterinary Entomology and Acarology
3
s
e
g Body oval
m No dorsal spines
e No vertical setae on dorsum of
n Propodosoma
t Legs are longer and project beyond
s margin of body
i Bell shaped suckers (caruncles) on
n stalks (pedicels) on the tarsi of fore or all
P the legs
s The pedicels of tarsal suckers are long
o and composed of 3 segments in
r Psoroptes
o Aus is terminal
p Male has adanal sucker (Copulatory
t discs)
e Posterior margin of abdomen of male
s prolonged into lobes
A Prominent in Psoroptes and Chorioptes
u Not prominent is Otodectes
s
TANUVAS, 2011
 VPA 221 Veterinary Entomology and Acarology

MORPHOLOGY - PSOROPTES OVIS

Cause of Sheep scab an important disease

Australia eradicated
Britain 20 years back eradicated, it has now re-entered
U.S.A Still exists in certain states
Morphology
Male
A pair of copulatory suckers in ventral side
A pair of large terminal tubercles bearing several hairs
Female
Possess suckers with jointed pedicels on 1st, 2nd and 4th pair of legs
PUBESCENT female also provided with a pair of posterior copulatory tubercles which
are absent in ovigerous females
Ovigerous female will have a genital aperture on the anterior aspect of ventral
side
TANUVAS, 2011
 VPA 221 Veterinary Entomology and Acarology

LIFE CYCLE - Psoroptes ovis

Eggs laid on skin at the edge of lesion

Hatch in 2-3 days
Larvae feed for 2 3 days
Moult to Nymphal stage last 12 has is a state of lethargy
Nyphal stage lasts 3-4 days Before moult -lethargic period -36
hrs
Smaller nymphs will become adult
Pubescent female appear before males on the 5th day and the
males on the 6th day- copulation takes place
Pubescent females molt to become ovigerous
Life cycle from egg to egg- 12 days
Adult female live 30-40 days and each lay 90-100 eggs

TANUVAS, 2011
 VPA 221 Veterinary Entomology and Acarology

PATHOGENESIS - Psoroptes ovis

Puncture epidermis suck lymph

Serum excudes on to surface, coagulate and form crusts
Wool gets loose, fall out or pulled by sheep by biting and scratching
Bare, crusty patch unsuitable for mite to multiply
They migrate to margin
Wool get matted in serum that oozes out

TANUVAS, 2011
 VPA 221 Veterinary Entomology and Acarology

TREATMENT - Psoroptes ovis

Dipping is best
Chlorinated hydrocarbons prohibited because of insecticide residues
Organophosphorous compounds can be used
Malathion/Sumithion - 50 EC
20 ml of 50 EC m/s is 1 lit.H2O = 1.0 %
20 ml of 50 EC m/s in 2 lit.H2O = 0.5 %
Zolone
35 EC 5 ml is 345 ml H2O = 5%
20 EC 5 ml is 195 ml H2O = 5%
Deltamethrin (Synthetic pyrethroid) Butox- 4 ml is 1 lit H2O = 1%
solution, Residual effect- 15 days

TANUVAS, 2011
VPA 221 Veterinary Entomology and Acarology

PSOROPTES CUNICULI

Ear canal of horse, donkey, rabbit etc

Head shaking
Otacariases
Ear cankar
If not checked, heavy infestation to other parts of body
Loss of balance occur
Septic meningitis may ensue

TANUVAS, 2011