Re: question

["John CAVITT" <jcavitt at weber dot edu>]

Hello Jolene!

I've worked on ectoparasitism in both cliff swallows and starlings at
the monastery in Huntsville.  We had large populations of swallow bugs
in the swallow nests as well as various species of protocalliphora (a
fly parasite).  Humans are much more likely to contract encephalitis (as
well as several other diseases) from the hordes of mosquitos at the
island than from the swallow bugs.  Swallow bugs do reduce the
reproductive success of swallows, primarily through reduction in
fledging mass. This is true mostly for late nests when swallow bug
populations are at their peak.  My data from 3 years of experiments
showed that parasite reduced nests produced significantly heavier
nestlings and those nestlings fledged significantly sooner than
controls.  I used Malathion to reduce ectoparasite loads.  Charles Brown
(not the cartoon character but the Ornithologist) has probably the best
data set on the effects of parasitism in cliff swallows.  If you are
interested I can send you my results as well as some of his
publications.   

Cheers
JFC

John F. Cavitt PhD
Director of Undergraduate Research
Associate Professor

Mailing Address
Dept. of Zoology
Weber State University
2505 University Circle
Ogden, UT 84408-2505

(801) 626-6172
FAX: (801) 626-7445
homepage: http://faculty.weber.edu/jcavitt




"A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability,
and
beauty of the biotic community. It is wrong when it tends otherwise."


Aldo Leopold
>>> Jolene Hatch <jolenehatch@utah.gov> 08/05/04 11:53 AM >>>
We are experiencing a very strange occurrence on the island.  We have
many cliff and barn swallows nesting, roosting on our visitor center.
Nothing new or strange with that...  An employee has experienced
hundreds of small bugs in and around her computer.  She also has
experienced dozens of bites on her shoulders, arms, back, head, and
face.  After close inspection two days ago, we discovered these bugs are
the swallow bugs (Oeciacus vicarius).  After researching the bugs on the
internet, we have discovered that these bugs are common to swallow
nests, can live in an unoccupied nest for up to three years, and can
carry and transmit a virus (WEE-western equine encephalitis) that can
cause encephalitis in humans.  The swallow bug is related to the bed bug
and is a blood-sucking insect.
Here is my question...  Does anyone know anything about this bug???
Such as how to exterminate?   Is there any confirmed cases of infected
birds in this area?   Or is there any confirmed cases of infected bugs
carrying the virus in this area????
Also, does anyone have suggestion on how to control nest building??  We
love the birds and enjoy seeing their fledglings but we have now
encountered a visitor and employee safety issue...
Anyone with help or advice is welcome.
Thanks.

Jolene

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