"So, naturalists observe, a flea has smaller fleas that on him prey; and these have smaller still to bite ’em; and so proceed ad infinitum."
- Jonathan Swift

June 6, 2010

June 6 - Dermanyssus gallinae

Dermanyssus gallinae, or the red mite, is an ectoparasite of birds. They do not live on birds, but rather hop on them to feed on their blood at night, while they are sleeping. They can be major pests for chicken and other poultry farmers. They will occasionally take blood meals from mammals, even humans, if they work with or live near birds.

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