Geopetitia aspiculata: endemic in zoobirds in Austria

Since 1993 fourtyfour birds from the aviary of the Viennese Zoo Schonbrunn died due to an infestation of the proventriculus with Geopetitia aspiculata , a nematode of the family Tetrameridae. We identified cockroaches from the species Blattella germanica as intermediate hosts. In the aviary of the Vi ennese Zoo Schonbrunn 2.5 % of the examined 1,994 Blattella germanica were infected with infective third-stage larvae. Intense control of cockroaches, started in summer 1996, nearly led to total elimination of these arthropod s and reduced the infection pressure successfully. Only three birds died 19 97 and 1998 just one. Necropsy of these birds revealed a persistent infesta tion with this parasite. In a brown-breasted barbett (Lybius melanopterus) massive infestation of th e proventriculus with Geopetitia aspiculata was diagnosed by laparoscopy. I solate keeping of this bird without possibility of reinfection significantl y reduced eggdropping within four months without therapy. No more nematodes were found after the sudden death of this bird. Therapy with avermectins guarantees only partial success. Therefore emphasi s should be laid on prevention of reinfection to support selfcure.