There are many gaps in our knowledge about bat ectoparasites. Information about the ecology, distribution and even taxonomy of some groups is sketchy, despite the dedicated efforts of several acarologists and entomologists.

Bat fleas and bat ticks are probably the best-studied groups, thanks to the efforts of Bob George, who has single-handedly run the Flea Recording Scheme for almost four decades; and of the staff at the Health protection Agency, who run the Tick Recording Scheme. Nevertheless more records and specimens are needed. 

Argas vespertilionis - a species of tick found only on bats

Bat mites are the largest group of parasites and the most complex. Anne Baker of the Natural History Museum has led a concerted effort to gather all known UK records of bat mites and to examine all available voucher specimens. The result was an invaluable checklist of 64 species, published in 2003. However, one-third of the species listed have some sort of query against them. These include species, which may be synonyms of other species; possible new species, which cannot be described and named without further study; and species which may be contaminants or accidental passengers on bats.

Spinturnix myoti - a wing-mite found on Myotis bat species

Records and specimens of bat parasites are rare. Since 2005 I have been gathering specimens from bats, building a collection of over 300 bat mites, ticks and fleas from the commoner species in the Lothians and Borders. I am keen to augment these with specimens from further afield and from other bat species, not least because this will provide valuable distribution data and specimens for taxonomic studies.

I am always delighted to receive specimens, either one-offs or larger collections and will feed back as much information as possible. I’m also grateful for opportunities to take specimens when others are trapping bats for scientific or conservation reasons.

I make a point of making data and specimens available to any and all interested parties, including academic institutions, relevant recording schemes, local record centres and the NBN Gateway.

Ischnopsyllus octactenus - a species of flea specific to Pipistrelles

  (c) David Dodds 2008