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 Knemidokoptes spp. 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.