Cheyletiella Species

Species of the genus Cheyletiella reach a size of 0.2–0.5 mm parasitizing the hair of dogs ( C. yasguri) and of foxes, cats ( C. blakei), occasionally specimens are found even on humans. They are charcterized by strong claws at the pedipalps (Fig. 1). The eggs (Fig. 2) are attached by filaments to hair. The total development (including egg – 1 larva – 2 nymphs) until adult males and females takes 3 weeks. Due to their feeding activity at the skin, infestations with such mites lead to a strong itching, to dermatitis, to loss of hair, allergic reactions, and bacterial superinfections. Often such small mites are covered by skin detritus, thus were not clearly seen and therefore called “walking dandruff.”

Figure 1

SEM of Cheyletiella yasguri-mite.