A Survey of Parasitism of the Starling Sturnus vulgaris L. in North America

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Abstract
All of 300 freshly-killed starlings collected between July and April from 6 n.-e. states, were parasitized[long dash]95% by ectoparasites and 99% by endoparasites (majority by Isospora sp. 75%; cestodes 71%; nematodes 68% of which 61% by intestinal Capillaria, C. ovopunctatum and C. exilis). Seasonal fluctuations occurred for some. The mite, Trouessartia rosterii. was abundant only in summer; lice tended to overwinter in the egg stage; of the tapeworms, Choanotaenia musculosa occurred as scolices only in Jan. whereas Hymenolepis farciminosa were mature but fewer in number throughout the winter; Paricterotaenia parina failed to reach maturity in this host. Of the 28 parasites collected, 15 are first records for the starling in this country thus bringing to 34 the total number of parasites reported for this host in N. America (16 ecto- and 18 endoparasites). The following constitute new host records mites, Dermanyssus prognephilus, Rivoltasia sp., Cheyletiella sp.; an unidentified flagellate; flukes, Lutztrema sp., Brachylaemus sp., Leucochloridium certhiae; nematodes, Microtetrameres helix (?), Acuaria gracilis var. sturni. New state records are: Menacanthus spinosum and Degeeriella nebulosa in Connecticut, Indiana, Massachusetts; D. prognephilus, New York ; Plagiorhynchus formosus, Ohio. Degree of penetration of some helminths into the wall of the digestive tract was noted. A discussion is included regarding the starling as a source of material for a course in parasitology, as an importer of parasites into N. America and as a disseminator of disease among native birds and poultry.