Acarine Fauna of Bird Nests

In summer, 1961, 10 nests, representing seven species of passeriform birds, were collected and processed in Berlese funnels to obtain the mites present. Representatives of 20 different families or superfamilies were identified in addition to five groups of larvae and nymphs which could not be identified to family. The families Eremaeidae and Dermanyssidae were most widely represented, and dermanyssids were most numerous. Mite populations are believed to become established in nests by (1) mites being brought into the nest by way of nest materials, (2) mites being brought into the nest on the bird itself, and (3) mites in their wanderings accidentally encountering the nests