A note on the occurrence of stick tight fleas in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu

Abstract

Echidnophaga gallinacea called as sticktight flea are known to affect mainly the poultry – worldwide. The fleas attach themselves to the hairless parts of the body such as areas around the eyes, wattles etc. Young birds are more severely affected and in heavy infestation, ulceration around the eyes and blindness are the common clinical manifestations in affected birds. Young fowls and birds can die from this infestation mainly due to anaemia. In an organized desi chicken farm of 150 desi chicken birds, 12 young chicks were infested with Echidnophaga gallinacea around the eyes and 5 of them have been found to have died of anaemia. The remaining 7 chicks were treated with Deltamethrin as an external application @ 1.25% concentration and were found free off the fleas after three days.