scholarly journals Diversity and seasonality of host-seeking ticks in a periurban environment in the Central Midwest (USA)

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0250272
Author(s):  
Ali Hroobi ◽  
Gunavanthi D. Boorgula ◽  
David Gordon ◽  
Jianfa Bai ◽  
Doug Goodin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Late Spring ◽  
Molecular Methods ◽  
Activity Period ◽  
Life Stages ◽  
Host Seeking

Between March 2014 and February 2017, host-seeking ticks were collected during the late spring and summer months seasonally, and as well as continually through all seasons from several sites in a periurban environment in Pittsburg, Kansas, located in the Central Midwestern United States. All three post-emergent life-stages of Amblyomma americanum, and the adults of three other ticks viz. Dermacentor variabilis, A. maculatum, and Ixodes scapularis were collected using the flagging method, and were taxonomically identified using morphological and molecular methods. A total of 15946 ticks were collected from these sites. A vast majority of the ticks collected over the three-year study period was A. americanum (79.01%). The three other species collected included D. variabilis (13.10%), A. maculatum (7.15%), and Ixodes scapularis (0.73%). More female ticks of each species were collected throughout the study period from all sites, and a unimodal activity period was noted for all four species. The diversity, composition, and phenology of these medically significant tick species are discussed.

Synthetic Pyrethroid, Natural Product, and Entomopathogenic Fungal Acaricide Product Formulations for Sustained Early Season Suppression of Host-Seeking Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) and Amblyomma americanum Nymphs

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry L Schulze ◽  
Robert A Jordan
Keyword(s):  
Natural Product ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Tick Control ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Synthetic Pyrethroid ◽  
Activity Period ◽  
Synthetic Pyrethroids ◽  
Seasonal Activity ◽  
Early Season ◽  
Host Seeking

Abstract We compared the ability of product formulations representing a synthetic pyrethroid acaricide (Talstar P Professional Insecticide), a natural product-based acaricide (Essentria IC3), and an entomopathogenic fungal acaricide (Met52 EC Bioinsecticide) to suppress Ixodes scapularis Say and Amblyomma americanum (L.) nymphs when applied following USEPA approved manufacturers’ label recommendations for tick control using hand-pumped knapsack sprayers before the beginning of their seasonal activity period in the spring. We applied Met52 EC Bioinsecticide (11% Metarhizium anisopliae Strain F52) to five 100 m2 plots (10.6 ml AI/plot) in mid-April 2020. Two weeks later at the end of April 2020, we treated an additional five 100 m2 plots each with either Talstar P Professional Insecticide (7.9% bifenthrin @ 2.5 ml AI/plot) or Essentria IC3 (10% rosemary oil, 5% geraniol, and 2% peppermint oil @ 86.6 ml AI/plot). Weekly sampling of all plots through the end of June 2020 showed that both Met52 EC Bioinsecticide and Essentria IC3 failed to maintain a 90% suppression threshold for I. scapularis, compared to control plots, and required two additional applications over the course of the trial. In contrast, Talstar P Professional Insecticide suppressed 100% of I. scapularis nymphs and ≥96 and 100% of A. americanum nymphs and adults, respectively. Such pre-season applications of synthetic pyrethroids significantly reduce the early season acarological risk for exposure to host-seeking ticks as well as the frequency of acaricide applications.

scholarly journals Effects of Climate on the Variation in Abundance of Three Tick Species in Illinois

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
E A Bacon ◽  
H Kopsco ◽  
P Gronemeyer ◽  
N Mateus-Pinilla ◽  
R L Smith
Keyword(s):  
Tick Species ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Differential Impact ◽  
Tick Abundance ◽  
Network Analyses ◽  
Average Temperature ◽  
Tick Borne Disease

Abstract The range of ticks in North America has been steadily increasing likely, in part, due to climate change. Along with it, there has been a rise in cases of tick-borne disease. Among those medically important tick species of particular concern are Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae), Dermacentor variabilis Say (Acari: Ixodidae), and Amblyomma americanum Linneaus (Acari: Ixodidae). The aim of this study was to determine if climate factors explain existing differences in abundance of the three aforementioned tick species between two climatically different regions of Illinois (Central and Southern), and if climate variables impact each species differently. We used both zero-inflated regression approaches and Bayesian network analyses to assess relationships among environmental variables and tick abundance. Results suggested that the maximum average temperature and total precipitation are associated with differential impact on species abundance and that this difference varied by region. Results also reinforced a differential level of resistance to desiccation among these tick species. Our findings help to further define risk periods of tick exposure for the general public, and reinforce the importance of responding to each tick species differently.

scholarly journals Effect of Vegetation on the Abundance of Tick Vectors in the Northeastern United States: A Review of the Literature

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel C Mathisson ◽  
Sara M Kross ◽  
Matthew I Palmer ◽  
Maria A Diuk-Wasser
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Haemaphysalis Longicornis ◽  
Northeastern United States ◽  
Tick Abundance ◽  
Open Canopy

Abstract Tick-borne illnesses have been on the rise in the United States, with reported cases up sharply in the past two decades. In this literature review, we synthesize the available research on the relationship between vegetation and tick abundance for four tick species in the northeastern United States that are of potential medical importance to humans. The blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) (Say; Acari: Ixodidae) is found to be positively associated with closed canopy forests and dense vegetation thickets, and negatively associated with open canopy environments, such as grasslands or old agricultural fields. The American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) (Say; Acari: Ixodidae) has little habitat overlap with I. scapularis, with abundance highest in grasses and open-canopy fields. The lone star tick (Amblyomma americanum) (Linnaeus; Acari: Ixodidae) is a habitat generalist without consistent associations with particular types of vegetation. The habitat associations of the recently introduced Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) (Neumann; Acari: Ixodidae) in the northeastern United States, and in other regions where it has invaded, are still unknown, although based on studies in its native range, it is likely to be found in grasslands and open-canopy habitats.

scholarly journals Standardized Ixodid Tick Survey in Mainland Florida

Insects ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glass ◽  
Ganser ◽  
Wisely ◽  
Kessler
Keyword(s):  
Tick Species ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Survey Methods ◽  
Ixodid Tick ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
The State ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Ixodid Ticks ◽  
Tick Survey

A statewide survey of questing ixodid ticks in mainland Florida was developed consistent with U.S. CDC standards to maximize the amount of epidemiologic and environmental data gathered. Survey sites were stratified by climatic zones and proportional to recognized land cover categories. A total of 560 transects on 41 sites within the state were sampled repeatedly by flagging between 2015 and 2018. Four tick species were collected; Amblyomma americanum, Amblyomma maculatum, Ixodes scapularis and Dermacentor variabilis. All species were more commonly found in northern and central regions of the state than in southern and western regions. Adult I. scapularis were active from autumn through spring and complementary to adult A. americanum and D. variabilis. Standardized survey methods help reduce sampling biases and better characterize risk from the species surveyed. However, differences in the attractiveness of collection methods for different tick species makes cross-species comparisons a continuing challenge.

Climate and vector potential of medically important North American ticks.

2021 ◽  
pp. 188-192
Author(s):  
Lars Eisen ◽  
Rebecca Eisen
Keyword(s):  
Expert Opinion ◽  
North American ◽  
Vector Potential ◽  
Tick Species ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Pathogen Reservoir ◽  
Dog Tick

Abstract This expert opinion focuses on climate-related factors and how these interact with landscape and tick host/pathogen reservoir factors to impact the vector potential for the three most notable North American human-biting tick species: Ixodes scapularis, Amblyomma americanum and the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis.

Early Season Applications of Bifenthrin Suppress Host-seeking Ixodes scapularis and Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) Nymphs

2019 ◽  
Vol 57 (3) ◽  
pp. 797-800 ◽  
Author(s):  
Terry L Schulze ◽  
Robert A Jordan
Keyword(s):  
Active Treatment ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Activity Period ◽  
Peak Activity ◽  
Early Season ◽  
Host Seeking ◽  
Application Date ◽  
Risk Of Exposure ◽  
And Control

Abstract We assessed the efficacy of bifenthrin to suppress Ixodes scapularis Say and Amblyomma americanum (L.) nymphs when applied prior to the initiation of spring host-seeking activity versus when nymphs were already active. Treatment and control plots were sampled for host-seeking ticks every week from mid-April through June, and single occasion bifenthrin applications were done in different sets of treatment plots on 15 April, 29 April, 13 May, and 27 May. Ixodes scapularis nymphs and A. americanum nymphs and adults were effectively suppressed after each application, with at or near 100% suppression of all ticks being observed for up to 8-wk postapplication. Irrespective of the bifenthrin application date, the level of suppression of I. scapularis nymphs never declined below 70% during the study period. However, with the exception of the last application, the suppression of A. americanum nymphs decreased dramatically to below 25% by the conclusion of the trial. The results of this study demonstrated that preseason applications of bifenthrin can mitigate acarological risk of exposure to ticks throughout much of their spring peak activity period.

scholarly journals Surveillance of Host-Seeking Ticks in the Flint Hills Region (USA) and Associations with Environmental Determinants

Parasitologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 137-147
Author(s):  
Mark Spare ◽  
Gunavanthi D. Boorgula ◽  
Dan Thomson ◽  
Jianfa Bai ◽  
Doug Goodin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gulf Coast ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Flint Hills ◽  
Host Seeking ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Gulf Coast Tick ◽  
The Times ◽  
Dog Tick

Diversity and phenology of host-seeking ticks were studied in the Flint Hills region of the USA, which is a prominent region for raising beef cattle. Between a two-year period from 2015–2017, ticks were collected using the dragging method from 9 distant locations, 6 of which were studied seasonally and 3 continuously throughout the study period. Of the 10,055 ticks collected, 76.5% were the Lonestar tick (Amblyomma americanum), 14% were American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), and 9.1% were Gulf Coast tick (A. maculatum). The blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis were also found, albeit in low numbers. The host-seeking activity of all three predominant tick species peaked once during the late spring, summer months in the region. The phenology of all ticks was positively associated with accumulated temperature and photoperiod. Additionally, the Normalized Vegetation Difference Index (NDVI) was associated with A. americanum, and saturation deficit and relative humidity were negatively associated with D. variabilis and A. maculatum tick phenology, respectively. This finding is useful to predict the times during a year in which cattle are at higher risk for exposure to these ticks and associated pathogens.

scholarly journals Morphological observations of fluorescence in different tick species (Family: Ixodidae)

Acarologia ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (4) ◽  
pp. 989-994
Author(s):  
Dakota A. Shade
Keyword(s):  
Tick Species ◽  
Predator Avoidance ◽  
Ixodes Scapularis ◽  
Rhipicephalus Sanguineus ◽  
Dermacentor Variabilis ◽  
Amblyomma Americanum ◽  
Evolutionary Significance ◽  
The World ◽  
Biological Organisms

Ticks are important ectoparasites due to their ability to transmit harmful pathogens and their study is thus significant for medical and veterinary practices around the world. Fluorescence has been found in numerous biological organisms, including ticks. However, the overall function, evolutionary significance, and distribution of fluorescence in ticks are unknown. This study examined tick fluorescence in purchased, unfed adult Amblyomma americanum (Linnaeus), A. maculatum Koch, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), D. andersoni (Stiles), Ixodes scapularis Say, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus Latreille ticks. An Olympus SZX7 microscope and NightSea SFA system with ultraviolet (UV) and royal blue sets were used for observing tick morphology. Ticks were shown to have widespread fluorescence in all species observed. The results corroborated previous studies, but with the addition of more fluorescent structures. Tick fluorescence could potentially play roles in communication or predator avoidance. Studies on tick behavior in conjunction with fluorescence are now called for to elucidate potential roles.

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