Foci of tick species occur at large spatial scales. They are intrinsically difficult to detect because the effect of geographical factors affecting conceptual influence of climate gradients. Here we use a large dataset of occurrences of ticks in the Afrotropical region to outline the main associations of those tick species with the climate space. Using a principal components reduction of monthl...

The black-legged tick Ixodes scapularis Linnaeus (Acari: Ixodidae) is an important vector of microbial pathogens. Knowledge of the tick's innate immune response, particularly defensin and other antimicrobial peptides, is important for understanding how microbes survive in this tick. A defensin gene (slnA) from I. scapularis was obtained by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR...

A theoretical analysis of the feasibility of controlling tick populations (Ixodidae) by the release of reared Ixodiphagus parasitoids in tick ecosystems yielded promising results. The analysis suggested that if reasonable progress could be made in mass-rearing the parasitoids, it would be possible to control the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis (Say), the vector of Lyme disease, by this biol...

The Minnesota distribution of the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, was studied during 1998 and 1999. The majority of tick collecting was done by grouse hunters, who sent in specimens collected during the fall of 1998 and 1999. I. scapularis specimens were received from 17 counties, including eight counties in northern and central Minnesota that previously had no reports of I. scapularis. Th...

Unique oligonucleotide probes were synthesized to distinguish among closely related vertebrate mitochondrial rDNA sequences present in residual bloodmeals in emergent Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Acari: Ixodidae) nymph life-stage ticks. Use of these probes enabled the identification of the Eastern gray squirrel as an important bloodmeal source in nymphs harboring Ehrlichia and Borrelia species. T...

A brief review of acari parasitizing reptiles (Reptilia) was presented. Reptilian mites are represented by 15 families of temporary and permanent parasites which belong to 3 orders: Mesostigmata (Entonyssidae, Heterozerconidae, Ixodorhynchidae, Laelapidae, Macronyssidae, Omentolaelapidae, Paramegistidae), Metastigmata (Amblyommidae, Argasidae, Ixodidae) and Prostigmata (Cloacaridae, Harpirhynch...

A brief review of the arboviruses isolated In Italy is presented and discussed. Some of the Arboviruses considered in this paper are endemic in the country and are transmitted by arthropods that play actually a role of vectors, (sand flyes, hard ticks and mosquitoes); other arboviruses, sporadically isolated, are potential agents of emerging human or zoonotic diseases.

Free-ranging ticks are widely known to be restricted to the ground level of vegetation. Here, we document the capture of the tick species Amblyomma in light traps placed in the forest canopy of Barro Colorado Island, tapirellum central Panama. A total of forty eight adults and three nymphs were removed from carbon dioxide–octenol baited CDC light traps suspended 20 meters above the ground durin...