Ectoparasites of bee-eater (Merops apiaster) and arthropods in its nests

We studied the abundance of ectoparasites of young and adult bee-eaters and the arthropod fauna in their nests. The feather lice Meropoecus meropis and Meromenopon meropis were found on both adult and young bee-eaters while chicks were additionally parasitized by the fly Carnus hemapterus. The distribution of these parasites was characterized by a descending logarithmic curve. The nest fauna consisted mostly of parasitic mites and predaceous beetles. Mites were represented by a large number of Androlaelaps casalis, a facultative ectoparasite of birds. On the contrary, the blood-sucking mites Dermanyssus hirundinis, D. gallinae and Ornithonyssus sylviarum were little numerous and the occurrence of other mites was only occasional. Beetles were represented by a large number of the nidicolous staphylinide Haploglossa nidicola which was accompanied by a low number of the nidicolous histeride Gnathoncus buyssoni. Occurrence of H. nidicola and A. casalis was moderately positively correlated. Large numbers of Dermestes spp. larvae occurred in the nests, too. Other beetle species occurred occasionally in the nest holes. Ticks and fleas occurred sporadically and were probably introduced by adult birds. They did not develop there. On the contrary, some flies, whose larvae had suitable conditions, developed in some nests. Spiders, pseudoscorpions and bugs were recorded only in a small number of species and individuals.