This study evaluated aspects of population ecology and community component of mites in Pseudolynchia canariensis (Macquart) of domestic pigeons Columba livia in Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil. A total of 236 forest mites were found in 74 out of 156 fl ies (47.4% infestation). The prevalence for Myialges anchora Sergent & Trouessart was 23.7%, with average intensity 1.5 ± 0.90 and average abundance 0.4 ± 0.76, mostly (94.4%) located on the abdomen; 75.9% of the mites (n = 41) surrounded by eggs, with a mean of 16.4 ± 14.60 eggs per individual and 21.6 ± 12.90 eggs per ovigerous female. The prevalence for M.lophortyx (Furmann & Tharshis) was 13.5% (n = 21) with 62 individuals, mean intensity 3.0 ± 2.75 average abundance 0.4 ± 1.41; 41.9% (n = 26) located at the right wing and 58.1% (n = 36) were in the left wing; 72.6% (n = 45) showed ovigerous mass, with 4.56 ± 3.42 per each individual and 6.3 ± 3.04 per ovigerous female. The prevalence of Ornithocheyletia hallae Volgin was 23.7% (n = 37) with 120 individuals, with mean intensity of 3.2 ± 4.47, and mean abundance of 0.8 ± 2.56. In 28.4% (n = 21) of flies occurred simultaneous mite infestations, mainly for M.anchora and O.hallae, present in 66.7% (n = 14) of flies with mixed effect. The component communities showed an aggregate distribution. The mite species O.hallae was more agregate, while M.anchora and M.lophortyx showed the same K value.
Phoresy; prevalence; abundance; intensity; aggregation