| A microscopic mite, Pyemotes herfsi -- aptly | | | | short period of time. |
| called an "itch mite"-- is responsible for the | | | | There is no pain when these mites bite. In fact, |
| mysterious, itchy red bites recently reported by a | | | | most people are unaware that they have been |
| number of Midwest state residents. | | | | bitten until the next day, when quarter-size |
| The microscopic itch mites prey on small fly | | | | reddened welts appear with a pimple on their |
| maggots which cause "leaf edge" galls on pin oak | | | | center. The bites are most commonly distributed |
| leaves. The galls on pin oak leaves have been | | | | over the neck and shoulders and on the upper |
| unusually abundant in recent years. When the | | | | torso where clothing hangs loosely. They appear |
| maggots mature, they emerge from the galls, | | | | after people have been involved in outdoor |
| drop to the ground and pupate for the winter. | | | | activities. |
| When numbers of the gall gnat larvae decline, | | | | "The bites we are seeing do not pose a major |
| either through predation or by evacuation from | | | | health threat - they mostly cause an annoying, |
| their galls, the hungry itch mites crawl about on | | | | intense itch," Dr. Eric Whitaker, director of the |
| foliage or bail out of the trees into wind currents | | | | state public health department, said in a |
| to find other suitable hosts. | | | | statement. "Do not scratch the bites, however, or |
| Preliminary research indicates that 16,000 adult | | | | you could cause an infection, which would create |
| female itch mites (potential biters) can emerge | | | | other health problems. |
| from one infected oak leaf and fall to the ground. | | | | Entomologists at Kansas State University |
| Entomologists estimate there are most likely | | | | reported bites on dogs and cats as well as on |
| millions of mites floating down from affected oak | | | | humans during outbreaks. |
| trees. | | | | Some bite sufferers find their own way of dealing |
| The mites inject a highly-potent neurotoxic | | | | with the outbreak including over-the-counter |
| venom into their insect prey through their | | | | remedies and chemicals. Various state officials |
| needle-like mouthparts and voraciously consume | | | | have recommended antihistamines and lotions. |
| their prey. | | | | With the growing concern over the earth and |
| Adult females are unique among living animals in | | | | holistic health, may others are seeking all natural |
| that they deposit their eggs into a pouch, or | | | | remedies including new electrolyzed oxidizing |
| ovisac, formed at the tip of their abdomens. A | | | | water technology for healing. |
| mated female attaches to an insect host and | | | | This problem is not just restricted to Chicago. |
| enlarges to 1/16 inch -- about BB size. The female | | | | Any Midwest state with pin oak trees can suffer |
| nurtures her brood directly from the egg stage to | | | | from these outbreaks. Past states have included |
| adulthood (no nymphal stages). As many as 300 | | | | Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and Texas. Itch mite |
| mites can develop within the female's enlarged | | | | season runs from now through November. |
| abdomen! | | | | Leo is the owner/developer of Earth's Balance, |
| With a population doubling time of two days, | | | | offering Golfer's Rx, a new electrolyzed oxidizing |
| Pyemotes mites can number in the millions in a | | | | water technology for healing. |