First detection ofIxodiphagus hookeri(Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) inIxodes ricinusticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from multiple locations of Hungary

Abstract

The parasiotid wasp, Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is the natural enemy of a wide range of hard and soft tick species. While these encyrtid wasps are supposed to be distributed worldwide, only few studies report about its actual appearance patterns around the globe. Within a shotgun sequencing based metagenome analysis, the occurrence of I. hookeri was screened at multiple Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) tick sampling points of Hungary, to contribute to the assessment of the appearance patterns of the parasitoid wasps in Central Europe. To our knowledge, the first report of the species in Hungary and the description of the southernmost I. hookeri associated geoposition in Central Europe took place within our study. I. hookeri infested Ixodes ricinus nymphs were detected at five sampling points of Hungary. The results show that the exact distribution range of I. hookeri is still barely studied. At the same time, unprecedented public health issues being brought by climate change might require steps towards the exploitation of the tick biocontrol potential or ecological bioindicator role of the parasitoid wasp in the future.

Ixodes ricinustick bacteriome alterations based on a climatically representative survey in Hungary

“…Evidence for the presence of these parasitoid wasps has recently been discovered in Hungary. 44 By Candidatus Midichloria, the strong, statistically significant difference that was observed for females among adult female and nymph ticks is in agreement with the results of other research groups and has an explanation in the scientific literature. Studies exploring the inter-sex microbiome differences of adult I. ricinus ticks 34,36,80,81 demonstrated much higher abundance rates of Candidatus Midichloria in females than in males independent to the regions of tick collection.…”

“…occurred did not match the detection points I. hookeri in Hungary described in a recent study. 50 Despite the high incidence rates of Lyme disease in Europe, 51 Borreliella burgdorferi itself was not detected in our samples, while other species of Borrelia and Borreliella were identified. Since the causative agent of Lyme disease is normally mentioned as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, 52,53 referring to this species in the broad sense, involving other members of the genera as well, the presence of Borreliella garinii, Borreliella valaisiana, Borreliella afzelii, Borrelia coriaceae and Borrelia miyamotoi can also be associated with the common disease.…”