Geographical distribution of Demodex ursi in black bears from Florida

From May 1990 to February 1996, 55 black bears (Ursus americanus floridanus) (38 males, 17 females) from 21 counties in Florida (USA), were examined for Demodex ursi (Acari: Demodecidae). The sample included cubs < 1-yr-old (n = 12), juveniles (1 to < 3 yr, n = 20), and adults (3 to 12 yr, n = 23). Demodex ursi was collected from four bears by deep scrapings of 15 sites on the head and forelimb of each bear. All four bears with demodicosis had crusty, scaly skin lesions, and moderate alopecia. No D. ursi were seen in any of the 750 scrapings from the other 51 bears, nor did any of those bears have signs of demodicosis. Demodicosis was found only in bears from or near the Ocala population in north-central Florida.