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Otobius
megnini
, which is exceedingly specialized biologically and structurally, infests the ear canals of pronghorn antelope, mountain sheep, and Virginia and mule deer in low rainfall biotopes of western USA and in Mexico and western Canada. Cattle, horses, goats, sheep, dogs, and humans are similarly infested. This well-concealed parasite has been transported with livestock to western South America, Galapagos, Cuba, Hawaii, India, Madagascar,
and southeastern Africa. Notably, adults have nonfunctional mouthparts and remain nonfeeding on the ground but may survive for almost 2 yr. Females can deposit up to 1,500 eggs in a 2-wk period. Larvae and 2 nymphal instars feed for 2-4 mo, mostly in winter and spring. There can be 2 or more generations per year. Humans and other animals may suffer severe irritation from ear canal infestations, and heavily infested livestock lose condition during winter. Tick paralysis of hosts and
secondary infections by larval screwworms are reported.
O
megnini
is infected by the agents of Q-fever, tularemia, Colorado tick fever, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The second
Otobius
sp
,
O
lagophilus
, feeds on the heads of jackrabbits (hares) and rabbits in western USA. |
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