| A microscopic mite, Pyemotes herfsi -- | | | | With a population doubling time of two |
| aptly called an "itch mite"-- is | | | | days, Pyemotes mites can number in the |
| responsible for the mysterious, itchy | | | | millions in a short period of time. |
| red bites recently reported by a number | | | | There is no pain when these mites bite. |
| of Midwest state residents. | | | | In fact, most people are unaware that |
| The microscopic itch mites prey on small | | | | they have been bitten until the next |
| fly maggots which cause "leaf edge" | | | | day, when quarter-size reddened welts |
| galls on pin oak leaves. The galls on | | | | appear with a pimple on their center. |
| pin oak leaves have been unusually | | | | The bites are most commonly distributed |
| abundant in recent years. When the | | | | over the neck and shoulders and on the |
| maggots mature, they emerge from the | | | | upper torso where clothing hangs |
| galls, drop to the ground and pupate for | | | | loosely. They appear after people have |
| the winter. | | | | been involved in outdoor activities. |
| When numbers of the gall gnat larvae | | | | "The bites we are seeing do not pose a |
| decline, either through predation or by | | | | major health threat - they mostly cause |
| evacuation from their galls, the hungry | | | | an annoying, intense itch," Dr. Eric |
| itch mites crawl about on foliage or | | | | Whitaker, director of the state public |
| bail out of the trees into wind currents | | | | health department, said in a statement. |
| to find other suitable hosts. | | | | "Do not scratch the bites, however, or |
| Preliminary research indicates that | | | | you could cause an infection, which |
| 16,000 adult female itch mites | | | | would create other health problems. |
| (potential biters) can emerge from one | | | | Entomologists at Kansas State University |
| infected oak leaf and fall to the | | | | reported bites on dogs and cats as well |
| ground. Entomologists estimate there are | | | | as on humans during outbreaks. |
| most likely millions of mites floating | | | | Some bite sufferers find their own way |
| down from affected oak trees. | | | | of dealing with the outbreak including |
| The mites inject a highly-potent | | | | over-the-counter remedies and chemicals. |
| neurotoxic venom into their insect prey | | | | Various state officials have recommended |
| through their needle-like mouthparts and | | | | antihistamines and lotions. With the |
| voraciously consume their prey. | | | | growing concern over the earth and |
| Adult females are unique among living | | | | holistic health, may others are seeking |
| animals in that they deposit their eggs | | | | all natural remedies including new |
| into a pouch, or ovisac, formed at the | | | | electrolyzed oxidizing water technology |
| tip of their abdomens. A mated female | | | | for healing. |
| attaches to an insect host and enlarges | | | | This problem is not just restricted to |
| to 1/16 inch -- about BB size. The | | | | Chicago. Any Midwest state with pin oak |
| female nurtures her brood directly from | | | | trees can suffer from these outbreaks. |
| the egg stage to adulthood (no nymphal | | | | Past states have included Kansas, |
| stages). As many as 300 mites can | | | | Missouri, Nebraska and Texas. Itch mite |
| develop within the female's enlarged | | | | season runs from now through November. |
| abdomen! | | | | |