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