chicken mite

arachnid

Also known as: Dermanyssus gallinae

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Last updated

June 24, 2026

Quick Summary

Chicken mites are a type of bird mite, which are small arachnids that parasitize birds. Mites, in general, are tiny arthropods belonging to the subclass Acari, class Arachnida. They inhabit diverse environments, including soil, plants, and as parasites on animals, including humans.12

Parasitic mites can live in various body tissues and some are known to transmit diseases to humans and animals. Plant-feeding mites can damage crops by consuming leaf tissues or spreading viral diseases. Most mites have four pairs of legs and breathe through tracheae or directly through their skin. The chicken mite specifically belongs to the order Mesostigmata, which includes other mites that can attack humans.2

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mite
…Mesostigmata (superorder Parasitiformes) include the chicken mite, the northern fowl mite, and the rat mite, all of which attack humans. In addition, there are nasal mites of dogs and birds, lung mites of monkeys, and predatory mites, which are sometimes of benefit in controlling plant-feeding mites.
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…Mesostigmata (superorder Parasitiformes) include the chicken mite, the northern fowl mite, and the rat mite, all of which attack humans. In addition, there are nasal mites of dogs and birds, lung mites of monkeys, and predatory mites, which are sometimes of benefit in controlling plant-feeding mites.
Read More