J.D. Nichols
J. F. Carroll
1986
<p><span>The numbers of host-seeking adult American dog ticks, </span><i>Dermacentor variabilis</i><span> (Say), in a sweet gum field in Maryland reflected changes in the population density of a host species, the meadow vole, </span><i>Microtus pennsylvanicus</i><span> (Ord), which within 1.5 yr fell from an estimated 157 to 8 voles on a 0.8 ha grid. During high vole density, there was no significant difference (</span><i>P</i><span> > 0.05) in tick burdens between sexes on an annual basis. Juvenile and subadult voles (< 33 g) harbored significantly fewer </span><i>D. variabilis</i><span> larvae and nymphs than did mature voles (> 33 g) on an annual basis. However, during periods of both peak host-seeking activity by </span><i>D. variabilis</i><span> larvae and nymphs and high host density nearly all the voles examined were infested. There was no evidence of a relationship between weight of adult voles and likelihood of parasitization by </span><i>D. variabilis</i><span> during months of moderate tick host-seeking activity. Of 163 adult </span><i>D. variabilis</i><span> recaptured ≥ one week after marking, 86 (52.7%) had moved > 3.8 m, 59 (36.2%) > 5.3 m.</span></p>
application/pdf
10.18474/0749-8004-21.2.102
en
Allen Press
Parasitization of meadow voles, Microtus pennsylvanicus (ORD), by American dog ticks, Dermacentor variabilis (Say), and adult tick movement during high host density
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