The female lays her eggs on the surface of the skin, usually at the edge of a skin lesion. When the egg hatches, it releases a larva that subsequently develops through two nymphal stages before developing into either a male or female mite. Females lay about one egg per day for up to 16 days. The eggs hatch within four days. Egg laying females may live as long as three weeks, adult males up to seven to eight weeks.
Infection is spread mainly by direct contact between cattle.
However for animals housed in barns, grooming tools may become contaminated and help spread infection. These instruments should be thoroughly disinfected after each use. Mating pair of Chorioptes bovis mites. Chorioptic mites were formerly named after the host species they were found on. Now, it is thought that those on cattle, horses and sheep are one species, Chorioptes bovis .