Mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) inhabiting nests of the white-tailed sea eagle Haliaeetus albicilla (L.) in Poland

Abstract

During 1997-2002, 105 samples of mites were collected from 34 nests of the white-tailed sea eagle in Poland. The material included 9,724 specimens of Mesostigmata belonging to 86 species. The mite communities were dominated by species of the families Parasitidae, Macrochelidae and Ascidae. The most abundant species were Alliphis halleri, Androlaelaps casalis, Parasitus fimetorum and Macrocheles merdarius that altogether made up 48% of all the specimens collected. Alliphis halleri and Androlaelaps casalis were also the two most frequently found mites. A summary is presented on the biology and distribution of the abundant species. © Entomologica Fennica.