A long?term study of temporal variation in wing feather mite (Acari: Astigmata) infestations on robins, <i>Erithacus rubecula</i> , in Nottinghamshire, UK

European robins (Erithacus rubecula) were mist netted and assessed for wing feather mite infestations in north-east Nottinghamshire, England from June 1998 until March 2014. We analysed records of 899 first capture birds using three measures infestation: prevalence mites (% showing evidence infestation), number feathers infested with on one (NIWF), the total infestation score (TOTMIS). The latter is sum scores (range 0–4) allocated to each 19 flight wing. overall was 90.9% (95% confidence limits = 88.19–93.02), average NIWFs TOTMIS (±sem) 6.0 ± 0.15 6.5 0.23, respectively. All varied significantly between age classes birds, but not sexes, markedly months year. values highest late winter/early spring then dropped May a low summer (usually by August), dip abundance coinciding breeding season robins. best mixed-effects generalised statistical model that comprised month there also highly significant negative correlation individual mean monthly ambient temperature as well preceding month. most parsimonious interpretation our data consistent adult reflects vertical transmission their nestlings/fledgelings. These results are discussed context biology both hosts mites.