This Special Issue in Avian Pathology is related to the latest research findings on the poultry red mite (PRM), Dermanyssus gallinae. This outcome has been possible thanks to the support from COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) and the creation of a Cost Action Network (FA1404) entitled “Improving current understanding and research for sustainable control of the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae” (www.coremi.eu). The eight papers published in this Special Issue are a small subset of the collective efforts during the four-year lifespan of this Cost Action, which saw over 300 members from 28 countries to meet regularly and develop new research projects together and pass key information to members and other stakeholders in poultry production systems.
Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer, 1778), or poultry red mite (PRM), is a well-known ectoparasite feeding on blood and responsible for anemia and acute welfare issues in poultry birds. This arthropod pest greatly impacts on poultry production levels by reducing the number of eggs laid by hens, with thinner shell leading to eggs being downgraded and a higher proportion of cracked eggs increasing farmers’ losses. D. gallinae is also known to transmit a range of pathogens, further affecting the infected hosts, and can infest other animals and humans as well.
PRM is still a serious welfare and economic threat to the poultry layer industry worldwide. The above Cost Action Network (FA1404) has tremendously developed interdisciplinary international collaborations leading to major findings on prevention and control of this arthropod pest as highlighted in this Special Issue on Dermanyssus gallinae. Nevertheless, such international research achievements need to continue to speed up the novel treatments and preventative measures, which will make a long-lasting impact on PRM.
We hope you will enjoy reading this Special Issue on Dermanyssus gallinae.
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) for its support of the COREMI project (FA1404) for “Improving current understanding and research for sustainable control of the poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae” (www.coremi.eu).