A contribution to the parasite fauna in winter nests of the common mole (Talpa europaea L.) and incidence of its infection with tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBE) and rickettsia Coxiella burnetii.

A total of 45 winter nests of the common mole (Talpa europaea L.) from the Záhorska lowland (western Slovakia) were investigated in January through March during the years 1981-1985. Seven species of fleas with the eudominant species Ctenophthalmus assimilis were found in them, the other species were subrecedent. The acarinium of the mole winter nests was composed of 19 mite species. Predominant were euryphagous species Haemogamasus nidi, H. hirsutus, Eulaelaps stabularis and Androlaelaps fahrenholzi. TBE virus was detected in samples prepared from suspensions of the mites H. nidi, H. hirsutus, Hirstionyssus talpae and A. fahrenholzi and the fleas Ct. assimilis collected in three localities: Laksárska Nová Ves, Stupava, Pernek. C. burnetii was found neither in mites nor in fleas.