Trap perches to assess the activity of pyrethrins against the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae in cage birds.

Trap perches were utilised to quantify mite recoveries during efficacy tests of pyrethrin formulations against experimental infestations of Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer, 1778) in budgerigars and pigeons, and to monitor mite recoveries from untreated canaries. Pyrethrins applied topically before infestation significantly reduced the mean numbers of poultry red mites found in both budgerigar and pigeon trap perches, over those in untreated controls (P = less than 0.01). In untreated control budgerigars and pigeons, and in untreated canaries, the percentage recoveries after 48 h were 12.6 +/- 1.6, 4.1 +/- 1.9, and 32.6 +/- 1.6%, respectively (geometric mean +/- SD), and the blood engorgements rates were 71.5 +/- 1.7, 11.9 +/- 5.1, and 90.1 +/- 1.0% respectively. The recovery in trap perches of mites from canaries declined exponentially; 85% of the cumulative total recovered was collected 24 h after infestation, but small numbers were recovered daily up to 96 h (limit of observation). The use of the trap perches is discussed as a way of assessing the efficacy of acaricides, and as a laboratory tool in studies on mite aggregation behaviour or immune responses to mite infestation.