title: Validation of an automated mite counter for Dermanyssus gallinae in experimental laying hen cages.
abstract: For integrated pest management (IPM) programs to be maximally effective, monitoring of the growth and decline of the pest populations is essential. Here, we present the validation results of a new automated monitoring device for the poultry red mite (Dermanyssus gallinae), a serious pest in laying hen facilities world-wide. This monitoring device (called an "automated mite counter") was validated in experimental laying hen cages with live birds and a growing population of D. gallinae. This validation study resulted in 17 data points of 'number of mites counted' by the automated mite counter and the 'number of mites present' in the experimental laying hen cages. The study demonstrated that the automated mite counter was able to track the D. gallinae population effectively. A wider evaluation showed that this automated mite counter can become a useful tool in IPM of D. gallinae in laying hen facilities.
authors.affiliation: Wageningen UR Livestock Research, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands, monique.mul@wur.nl.
authors.forename: Monique F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Mul
authors.forename: Johan W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: van Riel
authors.forename: Bastiaan G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Meerburg
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dicke
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: George
authors.forename: Peter W G
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Groot Koerkamp
mesh_terms: D000053:Acari / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000379:methods*; D000818:Animals; D002645:Chickens; D005260:Female; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*; D009758:Nymph / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D011156:Population Density; D011201:Poultry Diseases / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013983:Tick Control / Q000379:methods*