In vitro feeding of Psoroptes ovis (Acari:Psoroptidae).

An in vitro feeding test is described for Psoroptes ovis. The criterion for feeding response was established on the basis of coloration of mites by a red dye or by red blood cells. Feeding response was about 85% for female mites held off host cattle for 1 day. Mites preferred water plasma or serum and low-salt diets over whole blood. Feeding response was detected within 5 min of exposure to the diet, and maximum response was observed within 30 min of contact. Mites ingested an average 0.29 microliter of diet/100 mites in a single feeding. At temperatures between 10 degrees and 42 degrees C, feeding response was not significantly different.