Scientific name: Dermanyssus gallinae

Other Common name: poultry red mite, chicken mite, roost mite

Family: Dermanyssidae

Distribution

Worldwide

Description

This species feeds on the exterior of the host and typically feeds at night. It does not stay on the bird at all times are rarely feeds during the day. They are about 1.0 mm in size and appear black, grey, or white when unfed, and red after feeding. 

This mite is known to spread fowl pox virus or avian pox, Newcastle virus, and fowl cholera. 

Hosts

Primarily chickens, but also feeds on 30 species of birds.