Feather mite:
This specimen is a male Analges
spiniger Giebel,
1871. The species was first
described from an icterine
warbler, though this one was
taken from a blackcap from
Sherburn in Elmet.
Click on the demarcated area to load the slide into the e-Scope
The enlarged
legs are
allegedly used
to grip the
female when
mating and
"males of this
genus cause
damage to the
female carapace
....".
The mites spend
their entire
life cycle on
the host and
feed on feather
debris, pollen
and fungal
spores. They
also take lipids
(preening oil).
Click on the demarcated area to load the slide into the e-Scope
