Chorioptic mange (Acarina : Psoroptidae) in domestic and wild ruminants inisrael

In a 20-year-survey, 9364 dairy cattle in 324 herds kept under a zero-grazi ng management, 1252 beef cattle in 46 herds grazing all the year round, 334 7 sheep in 134 herds (only 26 are grazing herds), and 872 goats in 47 herds (only 20 are grazing) were examined. The mites collected from cattle were identified as Chorioptes texanus only, and those from sheep, goats and gaze lles were identified as C. bovis. Chorioptic mange was not diagnozed in gra zing beef cattle, ibexes and housed animals (as compared to grazing herds), and in rams and billy goats. Holstein-Israeli bulls kept in insemination c entres were not clinically infested, whereas four Charolais bulls were infe sted with chorioptic mange. Infestation rate was higher in older animals th an in younger ones. Hoggets and young goats over 10 months and heifers over 13 months were found clinically infested with Choriopic mites. Lesions wer e not usually extensive and occurred mainly in predilection sites. The ocul ar form in sheep and the groin form in goats are very uncommon and apparent ly are reported for the first time. Chorioptic mange was recorded generally throughout the year. In our study seasonal distribution could not be demon strated in cattle, while in sheep and goats the highest infestation rate oc curred in February to March and the lowest in August and September.