Host-seeking behavior of Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae) nymphs in relation to environmental parameters in dense-woodland and woodland-grass habitats

Lane, Robert S.; Mun, Jeomhee; Peribáñez, Miguel A.; Stubbs, Harrison A.

doi:10.3376/1081-1710(2007)32[342:hboipa]2.0.co;2

Cited by 39 publications

(55 citation statements)

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“…Several avian species that are ground-dwelling and/or leaf litter-foraging specialists are infested with a greater proportion of larvae than nymphs, whereas bird species that specialize on tree bark and tree limbs are infested with a greater proportion of nymphs than larvae of I. pacificus. These results conform to those of Slowik and Lane 2001, Lane et al 2007, which indicate that a proportion of the nymphal population may climb trunks of trees or drop as blood fed larvae from arboreal hosts, molt and quest as nymphs within the associated moist microclimates. Our inspections of ground-foraging Oregon juncos found infestations with nearly three times as many larvae as nymphs, whereas bark forage specialists, such as brown creepers, were infested almost exclusively by nymphs of I. pacificus.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Avian Hosts of Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae) and the Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi in Larvae Feeding on the Oregon Junco

Wright

Tucker

Donohue³

et al. 2011

jnl. med. entom.

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Larval and nymphal western blacklegged tick, Ixodes pacificus Cooley & Kohls (Acari: Ixodidae), were collected from birds, rodents, and lizards at Quail Ridge Reserve located in Napa County in northwestern California. Species from three vertebrate classes were sampled simultaneously from two transects during two consecutive spring seasons. Feeding larval and nymphal ticks were removed and preserved for counting, examination and testing for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi Johnson, Schmid, Hyde, Steigerwalt & Brenner. Mean infestations with I. pacificus subadults on lizards were 10.0, on birds 2.9, and on rodents 1.3. I. pacificus larvae (204) collected from 10 avian species and (215) collected from two rodent species were tested for the presence of B. burgdorferi s.s. via real-time polymerase chain reaction. Three B. burgdorferi-infected larvae were taken from two Junco hyemalis and two infected larvae from one Neotoma fuscipes Baird. This is the detection of B. burgdorferi ss in an Ixodes pacificus larvae feeding on a Junco hyemalis L., [corrected] in western North America.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Avian Hosts of Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae) and the Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi in Larvae Feeding on the Oregon Junco

Wright

Tucker

Donohue³

et al. 2011

jnl. med. entom.

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“…60 cm) before attempting to attack a host during the spring and autumn activity peaks. The distance covered by ticks, however, may be substantially longer, as the route is not a straight line and, like other tick species [14][15][16][17], they move both horizontally and vertically. The presence of hungry specimens after 3 weeks at a distance of 23 m from the site of release, thereof may indicate involvement of animal species or humans who are not specific hosts of these ticks in the transfer of this species to new habitats.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Locomotor activity of adult <i>Dermacentor reticulatus</i> ticks (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in natural conditions

Buczek¹,

Zając²,

Woźniak³

et al. 2017

Ann Agric Environ Med.

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Introduction and objective. Expansion into new areas and the great epidemiological significance of the D. reticulatus tick in Europe prompts investigations of its ethology. Therefore, the locomotor activity of D. reticulatus adult stages in an optimal habitat during the spring and autumn activity periods was analysed. Materials and method. Marked D. reticulatus adults were placed at the central point of each experimental plot. At regular time intervals, specimens attached to the cloth used in the flagging method were collected, and the distance covered by the ticks was measured. In each collection round, the temperature and humidity level in the habitat was also measured. Results. Within 7 weeks, adult D. reticulatus ticks can cover an average distance of 60.71±44 cm. The locomotor activity of adult stages is greater during the spring than the autumn activity period. Questing, females cover a greater distance (66.35±100 cm) than male ticks (54.85±45 cm). Adult stages are characterised by greater aggressiveness 24 hours after being released, i.e. 30% of females and 19% of males attempt to attach to host skin. The locomotor activity in adult ticks depends on the humidity of the habitat (Z=-1.198; p=0.050). The temperature does not affect tick walking. Conclusions. Given the low rates of horizontal locomotion of adult D. reticulatus ticks, the prevalence of the species in nature is determined by the presence of their hosts and humidity conditions ensuring their further development and survival. The dependence of D. reticulatus locomotor activity and aggressiveness on the humidity level implies an increased risk of host attacks in locations and periods that offer favourable humidity conditions for this species.

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“…Larvae and nymphs are active under drier conditions in spring and early summer (Eisen et al 2001, 2002) and therefore more restricted in their host-seeking habits. Because they rarely ascend emergent vegetation, contact with humans occurs primarily in habitats with leaf litter free of emergent vegetation or from logs or tree trunks (Talleklint-Eisen and Lane 2000, Lane et al 2007). …”

Section: General Introduction To I Scapularis and I Pacificusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Linkages of Weather and Climate WithIxodes scapularisandIxodes pacificus(Acari: Ixodidae), Enzootic Transmission ofBorrelia burgdorferi, and Lyme Disease in North America

et al. 2015

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Lyme disease has increased both in incidence and geographic extent in the United States and Canada over the past two decades. One of the underlying causes is changes during the same time period in the distribution and abundance of the primary vectors: Ixodes scapularis Say and Ixodes pacificus Cooley and Kohls in eastern and western North America, respectively. Aside from short periods of time when they are feeding on hosts, these ticks exist in the environment where temperature and relative humidity directly affect their development, survival, and host-seeking behavior. Other important factors that strongly influence tick abundance as well as the proportion of ticks infected with the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi, include the abundance of hosts for the ticks and the capacity of tick hosts to serve as B. burgdorferi reservoirs. Here, we explore the linkages between climate variation and: 1) duration of the seasonal period and the timing of peak activity; 2) geographic tick distributions and local abundance; 3) enzootic B. burgdorferi transmission cycles; and 4) Lyme disease cases. We conclude that meteorological variables are most influential in determining host-seeking phenology and development, but, while remaining important cofactors, additional variables become critical when exploring geographic distribution and local abundance of ticks, enzootic transmission of B. burgdorferi, and Lyme disease case occurrence. Finally, we review climate change-driven projections for future impact on vector ticks and Lyme disease and discuss knowledge gaps and research needs.

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Host-seeking behavior of Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae) nymphs in relation to environmental parameters in dense-woodland and woodland-grass habitats

Cited by 39 publications

References 1 publication

Avian Hosts of Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae) and the Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi in Larvae Feeding on the Oregon Junco

Avian Hosts of Ixodes pacificus (Acari: Ixodidae) and the Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi in Larvae Feeding on the Oregon Junco

Locomotor activity of adult <i>Dermacentor reticulatus</i> ticks (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in natural conditions

Linkages of Weather and Climate WithIxodes scapularisandIxodes pacificus(Acari: Ixodidae), Enzootic Transmission ofBorrelia burgdorferi, and Lyme Disease in North America

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