Distribution, seasonal occurrence, abundance, and hosts of five Kansas ticks (Acari : Ixodidae).

Abstract

Ticks are vectors of many important human and animal diseases. Deficiencies exist in our recognition of the distribution, seasonal occurrence, abundance, and hosts of these widespread parasites. By examining tick hosts over a 17 month period, this study sought to extend our knowledge of the ecology of these serious pests. Thirty-one species of hosts representing three classes of vertebrates from seven Kansas counties were inspected for tick infestation. Twelve species of hosts yielded 2,585 ticks. Five species of ixodids were collected from birds and mammals: Amblyomma americanum, Amblyomma maculatum, Dermacentor albipictus, Dermacentor variabilis, and Haemaphysalis leporispalustris. No ticks were found on nine species of reptiles examined. Dermacentor variabilis was the most common tick occurring on large mammals, followed by A. americanum and A. maculatum. Dermacentor albipictus were collected in November and December solely from white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus, of which 100 percent were infested. Haemaphysalis leporispalustris was found exclusively on cottontail rabbits, Sylvilagus floridanus, and the degree of infestation was highly variable. Abundance peaks for A. maculatum and Q. variabilis occurred in July of 1993 and 1994, while peaks for A. americanum varied. The collection of 65 A. maculatum from two adjoining counties suggests the establishment of this tick in southeast Kansas. Preferred feeding sites on mammals serve to increase tick survival, and generally coincide with those regions of the host's body that are difficult to groom. Feeding sites varied depending on the tick species, life stage, and host involved.