Ursicoptes americanus infestation of American black bears (Ursus americanus) in Virginia, USA.

American black bears (Ursus americanus) admitted to a Virginia rehabilitation center were tested for Ursicoptes americanus. From 2014 to 2023, 23 of 150 (15.3 %) bears were positive with higher prevalence in juveniles and females. Several bears had localized or multifocal, moderate lesions or alopecia consistent with mange; however, some had no clinical signs associated with mange. Several bears were co-infested with Sarcoptes scabiei. These data show that infestation with U. americanus mites is common and does not always cause disease. However, there is a need to understand potential mange-causing mites in black bears, especially because sarcoptic mange cases continue to increase in eastern bear populations.