Feeding Tests with Blood Sucking Mites on Heparinized Blood1

Abstract

A given number of blood sucking mites of the genera Bdellonyssus and Dermanyssus were aspirated into vials (3 x 1/4 inches). One end of the tube was sealed with silk bolting cloth. After the mites were in the tube, a piece of silk bolting cloth was placed over the end of the tube and this shoved into the tube with a 4-mm-deep rubber disc. Heparinized blood was introduced with a syringe into the hollow of the rubber disc, and the mites fed on a definite area of blood, the diameter of the inside of the rubber disc. By this technique, feeding of Bdellonyssus bacoti was increased when the temperature was elevated from 75 to 95[degree] F. Other spp. of Bdellonyssus and Dermanyssus mites were also fed by this technique.