Knemidokoptic mange in Hawai`i `Amakihi (Hemignathus virens) on the island of Hawai`i

Lesions resembling knemidokoptic mange on the feet and tarsometatarsi of two Hawai`i `Amakihi (Hemignathus virens) were observed while the researchers were mist-netting wild passerines at Manuka Natural Area Reserve on the island of Hawai`i between 14 June 2007 and 19 June 2007. During subsequent mist-netting from September 2007 through February 2008, we found 26% (7/27) of the Hawai`i `Amakihi caught were similarly affected. Microscopic examination of skin scrapings from lesions of affected individuals revealed Knemidokoptes jamaicensis (Acari: Knemidokoptidae). This is the first report of Knemidokoptesspp. found in wild passerines in Hawai`i. No other wild passerines (n=573) have been found with knemidokoptic mange during our islandwide study of Hawai`i `Amakihi.