Demodex bovis
Parasitic mite causing skin lesions in cattle, mainly in tropics.
Demodex bovis, commonly known as the cattle follicle mite, is a parasitic arachnid that causes demodicosis (demodectic mange) in cattle. It is significant primarily in tropical regions, where it leads to skin lesions that can result in economic losses, particularly in leather production.
- field
- Veterinary parasitology
- known_for
- Causing demodicosis in cattle
- common_name
- Cattle follicle mite
- disease
- Demodicosis (demodectic mange)
- primary_host
- Cattle
Quick Facts
- Genus
- Demodex
- Species
- bovis
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Demodex bovis infests cattle by living in hair follicles, where female mites lay eggs. Each follicle can contain hundreds or thousands of mites, leading to the formation of papules and nodules beneath the skin. These lesions most commonly appear on the neck, shoulders, and armpit, and sometimes on the udder. The bumps can be felt before they are visible and typically last about a month before being replaced by new ones. They are most numerous during spring and summer, and their size ranges from a pinhead to as large as a chicken egg. Larger nodules form when cysts grow and become granulomatous, blocking the follicle opening with mites, keratin, and other debris. These large cysts may burst, creating open wounds that discharge a thick, pus-like substance containing D. bovis, which can spread to other animals.
Reader's Guide
Demodex bovis is of economic importance because the burst nodules and papules damage cattle skin, reducing the quality of leather and causing financial losses. The mite is often found in cattle under increased stress from pregnancy or lactation. Natural and acquired immunity can reduce mite numbers and symptom severity. Transmission occurs when female mites leave a follicle to lay eggs in a new one, spreading the condition within the same animal or to others through copulation or physical contact. For example, calves may acquire mites within days of nursing when their shoulders and hips contact an infected mother. The disease is common in tropical areas and not usually found in temperate environments. Understanding the mite's life cycle and transmission helps in managing outbreaks, though the article does not specify treatment or control methods.
Did You Know?
- Demodex bovis causes papules and nodules on cattle skin, most commonly on the neck, shoulders, and armpit.
- Each hair follicle may contain hundreds or thousands of mites.
- The papules and nodules last about a month and are replaced with new ones.
- Large cysts can burst, releasing a pus-like substance containing D. bovis that spreads to other animals.
More in Bovine diseases 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record