Progress 01/01/12 to 12/31/16
Outputs
Target Audience:
Nothing Reported
Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Four graduate students and five undergradaute students were trained as part of this program. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated via health alerts originating from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Sevices. The alerts are emailed to physicians and other health personnel across the state. Several talks wre provided to urban pest management professionals. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The incidence of various tick-borne diseases (TBD) has been increasing in the United States, including the Great Plains region. In order to understand what factors may be contribution to this change, basic knowledge concerning tick presence, distribution, seasonality, and disease pathogen prevalence need to be known. Our work has generated new knowledge concerning tick and TBD distribution and ecology in the state and region. Our project has demonstrated that lone star ticks began establishing in Nebraska in the late 1980's, the ticks have established in the southeast portion of the state and further west along riparian corridors (e.g., Platte River, Republican River), the ticks are present in the Omaha-Lincoln urban corridor, and that various lone star tick-associated pathogens are present in tick and white-tailed deer populations in the state. We have also demonstrated that the blacklegged or "deer" tick is not established in Nebraska, but we have detected the tick at least four times since 2000 (the tick was not identified in Nebraska from 1911 - 1999). This suggests that deer tick invasion events are becoming more common. Most fo this work was conducted by graduate students in the Cortinas laboratory. Our findings have benefited several segments of society. State and regional veterinarians and physicians are informed about ticks and the disease pathogens that they carry. Additionally, medical personnel have seasonal and geographic information to assist in making diagnoses and recommendations. The Games and Parks Commission has informed state park users and outdoor enthusiasts about potential tick encounters. Findings have also initiated the development of tick surveillance and control efforts within the Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services. Our findings have been disseminated to various audiences, including veterinarians and physicians through professional meetings (Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association), to extension educators, pest management professionals (Urban Pest Mangaement meetings), and other stakeholders through outreach (e.g., Izaac Walton) and trade meetings, and to researchers in entomology, veterinary sciences, ecology, and other fields of study. Manuscripts have been submitted and accepted in the Journal of Medical Entomology and presentations have been given at annual meetings of the Entomological Society of America and the Livestock Insect Workers Conference. The long-term goal of this project is to use our knowledge of tick, pathogen, host, and environmental interactions to enhance our ability to predict and prevent conditions leading to human and animal disease in Nebraska and the region. To that end, the following objectives will be pursued. 1. Document the occurrence and distribution of ticks of medical and veterinary importance in Nebraska and the region. Two major activities were conducted. 1. A retrospective analysis of tick identifications (1911 - 2011) and 2. field collections at several locations across the state. Data collected include tick presence, density, tick pathogen prevalence. American dog ticks have been the most common tick in the state and continue to be the most common tick. The brown dog was the second most commonly reported tick in the state until the 1990's when the lone star tick became the second most common tick. The lone star tick is the predominant tick in many portions of southeast Nebraska. The successful establishment of the lone star tick in the most populous portion of the state represents an increased risk of human tick-borne disease. 2. Characterize tick population dynamics, life stage development, phenology, and host and habitat associations. Retrospective tick analysis and successive years of tick collection have allowed the documentation of tick phenology. Collections of small mammals and the inspection of hunter-killed white-tailed deer have allowed us to document tick-host associations. White-footed mice are important hosts for American dog tick immatures, but not for lone star tick immatures.White-tailed deer are important hosts for lone star ticks. No deer ticks were found on on hunter-killed deer inspected inthe southeast portion of the state. 3. Characterize tick-borne microorganisms in tick vectors and their hosts. Lone star ticks collected in the field were demonstrated to be infected with Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and Borrelia lonestari. The prevalence of Rickettsia spp. was 52% in field-collected adult ticks. The prevalence of E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and B. lonestari was 2%. Co-infection with multiple pathogens was observed in a few ticks. We did not find Heartland virus in 300 nymphs that were collected in extreme southeast Nebraska. White-tailed deer shot by hunters in southeast and southcentral Nebraska demonstrated a 17% prevalence of E. chaffeensis. These studies show that disease pathogens are present and may represent a tick-borne disease risk to citizens of the state. 4. Ascertain biotic and abiotic factors associated with tick survival and establishment of tickborne disease foci to develop models of tick and tick-borne disease risk. The factors contributing to the establishment of the lone star remain to be elucidated, but changes in the prairie landscape to an Eastern red cedar dominated landscape, increases in tick hosts including white-tailed deer and wild turkeys, and the increase in average winter temperatures with a higher likelihood of overwintering survival may all be contributing to the survival of the lone star tick in a part of the US were the tick had not been described.
Publications
|
Progress 10/01/14 to 09/30/15
Outputs
Target Audience:Physicians, veterinarians, urban pest management professionals, game and parks personnel, outdoor enthusiasts, general public. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?One undergraduate student, Marisa Gambaiana, has been working on theproject. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Results have been disseminated via health alerts originating from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Sevices. The alerts are emailed to physicians and other health personnel across the state. Several talks wre provided to urban pest management professionals. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The incidence of various tick-borne diseases (TBD) has been increasing in the United States, including the Great Plains region. In order to understand what factors may be contribution to this change, basic knowledge concerning tick presence, distribution, seasonality, and disease pathogen prevalence need to be known. Our work has generated new knowledge concerning tick and TBD distribution and ecology in the state and region. Our project has demonstrated that lone star ticks began establishing in Nebraska in the late 1980's, the ticks have established in the southeast portion of the state and further west along riparian corridors (e.g., Platte River, Republican River), the ticks are present in the Omaha-Lincoln urban corridor, and that various lone star tick-associated pathogens are present in tick and white-tailed deer populations in the state. We have also demonstrated that the blacklegged or "deer" tick is not established in Nebraska, but we have detected the tick at least four times since 2000 (the tick was not identified in Nebraska from 1911 - 1999). This suggests that deer tick invasion events are becoming more common. Most fo this work was conducted by graduate students in the Cortinas laboratory. Our findings have benefited several segments of society. State and regional veterinarians and physicians are informed about ticks and the disease pathogens that they carry. Additionally, medical personnel have seasonal and geographic information to assist in making diagnoses and recommendations. The Games and Parks Commission has informed state park users and outdoor enthusiasts about potential tick encounters. Findings have also initiated the development of tick surveillance and control efforts within the Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services. Our findings have been disseminated to various audiences, including veterinarians and physicians through professional meetings (Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association), to extension educators, pest management professionals (Urban Pest Mangaement meetings), and other stakeholders through outreach (e.g., Izaac Walton) and trade meetings, and to researchers in entomology, veterinary sciences, ecology, and other fields of study. Manuscripts have been submitted and accepted in the Journal of Medical Entomology and presentations have been given at annual meetings of the Entomological Society of America and the Livestock Insect Workers Conference. The long-term goal of this project is to use our knowledge of tick, pathogen, host, and environmental interactions to enhance our ability to predict and prevent conditions leading to human and animal disease in Nebraska and the region. To that end, the following objectives will be pursued. 1. Document the occurrence and distribution of ticks of medical and veterinary importance in Nebraska and the region. Two major activities were conducted. 1. A retrospective analysis of tick identifications (1911 - 2011) and 2. field collections at several locations across the state. Data collected include tick presence, density, tick pathogen prevalence. American dog ticks have been the most common tick in the state and continue to be the most common tick. The brown dog was the second most commonly reported tick in the state until the 1990's when the lone star tick became the second most common tick. The lone star tick is the predominant tick in many portions of southeast Nebraska. The successful establishment of the lone star tick in the most populous portion of the state represents an increased risk of human tick-borne disease. 2. Characterize tick population dynamics, life stage development, phenology, and host and habitat associations. Retrospective tick analysis and successive years of tick collection have allowed the documentation of tick phenology. Collections of small mammals and the inspection of hunter-killed white-tailed deer have allowed us to document tick-host associations. White-footed mice are important hosts for American dog tick immatures, but not for lone star tick immatures.White-tailed deer are important hosts for lone star ticks. No deer ticks were found on on hunter-killed deer inspected inthe southeast portion of the state. 3. Characterize tick-borne microorganisms in tick vectors and their hosts. Lone star ticks collected in the field were demonstrated to be infected with Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and Borrelia lonestari. The prevalence of Rickettsia spp. was 52% in field-collected adult ticks. The prevalence of E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and B. lonestari was 2%. Co-infection with multiple pathogens was observed in a few ticks. We did not find Heartland virus in 300 nymphs that were collected in extreme southeast Nebraska. White-tailed deer shot by hunters in southeast and southcentral Nebraska demonstrated a 17% prevalence of E. chaffeensis. These studies show that disease pathogens are present and may represent a tick-borne disease risk to citizens of the state. 4. Ascertain biotic and abiotic factors associated with tick survival and establishment of tickborne disease foci to develop models of tick and tick-borne disease risk. The factors contributing to the establishment of the lone star remain to be elucidated, but changes in the prairie landscape to an Eastern red cedar dominated landscape, increases in tick hosts including white-tailed deer and wild turkeys, and the increase in average winter temperatures with a higher likelihood of overwintering survival may all be contributing to the survival of the lone star tick in a part of the US were the tick had not been described.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Cortinas, M.R. Biology of Common Ticks in Nebraska . The 23rd Annual Nebraska Urban Pest Management Conference, Lincoln, Nebraska, February 10, 2015.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Emerging Diseases Transmitted by Mosquitoes. The 23rd Annual Nebraska Urban Pest Management Conference, Lincoln, Nebraska, February 10, 2015.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Maegli, A., J.D. Loy, and R. Cortinas. Note on Ehrlichia chaffeensis, Ehrlichia ewingii, and Borrelia lonestari infection in lone star ticks (Acari: Ixodidae), Nebraska, USA. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, Volume 7, Issue 1, February 2016, Pages 154158.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2015
Citation:
Tickin' Away: Ticks and tick-borne disease pathogens in Nebraska. Nebraska Wesleyan University, Lincoln, Nebraska, Sept. 14, 2015.
|
Progress 10/01/13 to 09/30/14
Outputs
Target Audience: Physicians, veterinarians, urban pest management professionals, game and parks personnel, outdoor enthusiasts, general public. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Two graduate students, Tim Hotaling and Amanda Moegli, worked on tick and tick-borne disease ecology. Ms. Moegli graduated in Fall 2013 with an M.S. in Entomology. Tim Hotaling was accepted to the Iowa State / University of Nebraska Cooperative Professional Veterinary Program. Alister Bryson worked on mosquito ecology. Mr. Bryson graduated in Spring 2014 with an M.S. in Entomology. He is currently an officer in the U.S. Navy / Medical Entomology. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?
Nothing Reported
What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The incidence of various tick-borne diseases (TBD) has been increasing in the United States, including the Great Plains region. In order to understand what factors may be contribution to this change, basic knowledge concerning tick presence, distribution, seasonality, and disease pathogen prevalence need to be known. Our work has generated new knowledge concerning tick and TBD distribution and ecology in the state and region. Our project has demonstrated that lone star ticks began establishing in Nebraska in the late 1980's, the ticks have established in the southeast portion of the state and further west along riparian corridors (e.g., Platte River, Republican River), the ticks are present in the Omaha-Lincoln urban corridor, and that various lone star tick-associated pathogens are present in tick and white-tailed deer populations in the state. We have also demonstrated that the blacklegged or "deer" tick is not established in Nebraska, but we have detected the tick at least four times since 2000 (the tick was not identified in Nebraska from 1911 - 1999). This suggests that deer tick invasion events are becoming more common. Most fo this work was conducted by graduate students in the Cortinas laboratory. Our findings have benefited several segments of society. State and regional veterinarians and physicians are informed about ticks and the disease pathogens that they carry. Additionally, medical personnel have seasonal and geographic information to assist in making diagnoses and recommendations. The Games and Parks Commission has informed state park users and outdoor enthusiasts about potential tick encounters. Findings have also initiated the development of tick surveillance and control efforts within the Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services. Our findings have been disseminated to various audiences, including veterinarians and physicians through professional meetings (Nebraska Veterinary Medical Association), to extension educators, pest management professionals (Urban Pest Mangaement meetings), and other stakeholders through outreach (e.g., Izaac Walton) and trade meetings, and to researchers in entomology, veterinary sciences, ecology, and other fields of study. Manuscripts have been submitted and accepted in the Journal of Medical Entomology and presentations have been given at annual meetings of the Entomological Society of America and the Livestock Insect Workers Conference. The long-term goal of this project is to use our knowledge of tick, pathogen, host, and environmental interactions to enhance our ability to predict and prevent conditions leading to human and animal disease in Nebraska and the region. To that end, the following objectives will be pursued. 1. Document the occurrence and distribution of ticks of medical and veterinary importance in Nebraska and the region. Two major activities were conducted. 1. A retrospective analysis of tick identifications (1911 - 2011) and 2. field collections at several locations across the state. Data collected include tick presence, density, tick pathogen prevalence. American dog ticks have been the most common tick in the state and continue to be the most common tick. The brown dog was the second most commonly reported tick in the state until the 1990's when the lone star tick became the second most common tick. The lone star tick is the predominant tick in many portions of southeast Nebraska. The successful establishment of the lone star tick in the most populous portion of the state represents an increased risk of human tick-borne disease. 2. Characterize tick population dynamics, life stage development, phenology, and host and habitat associations. Retrospective tick analysis and successive years of tick collection have allowed the documentation of tick phenology. Collections of small mammals and the inspection of hunter-killed white-tailed deer have allowed us to document tick-host associations. White-footed mice are important hosts for American dog tick immatures, but not for lone star tick immatures.White-tailed deer are important hosts for lone star ticks. No deer ticks were found on on hunter-killed deer inspected inthe southeast portion of the state. 3. Characterize tick-borne microorganisms in tick vectors and their hosts. Lone star ticks collected in the field were demonstrated to be infected with Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and Borrelia lonestari. The prevalence of Rickettsia spp. was 52% in field-collected adult ticks. The prevalence of E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, and B. lonestari was 2%. Co-infection with multiple pathogens was observed in a few ticks. We did not find Heartland virus in 300 nymphs that were collected in extreme southeast Nebraska. White-tailed deer shot by hunters in southeast and southcentral Nebraska demonstrated a 17% prevalence of E. chaffeensis. These studies show that disease pathogens are present and may represent a tick-borne disease risk to citizens of the state. 4. Ascertain biotic and abiotic factors associated with tick survival and establishment of tickborne disease foci to develop models of tick and tick-borne disease risk. The factors contributing to the establishment of the lone star remain to be elucidated, but changes in the prairie landscape to an Eastern red cedar dominated landscape, increases in tick hosts including white-tailed deer and wild turkeys, and the increase in average winter temperatures with a higher likelihood of overwintering survival may all be contributing to the survival of the lone star tick in a part of the US were the tick had not been described.
Publications
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Population occurrence and pathogen prevalence of lone star ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) collected from southeast Nebraska
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Diversity and ecology of host-seeking mosquitoes in irrigated agro-ecosystems of Clay County, Nebraska
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Cortinas, M.R. and S. Spomer. Occurrence and county-level distribution of ticks (Acari: Ixodoidea) in Nebraska, U.S.A., using passive surveillance. Journal of Medical Entomology, 51(2):352-359; 2014.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Stich RW, Blagburn BL, Bowman DD, Carpenter C, Cortinas MR, Ewing SA, Foley D, Foley JE, Gaff H, Hickling GJ, Lash RR, Little SE, Lund C, Lund R, Mather TN, Needham GR, Nicholson WL, Sharp J, Varela-Stokes A, Wang D. Quantitative factors proposed to influence the prevalence of canine tick-borne disease agents in the United States. Parasit Vectors, Sep 4;7:417, 2014.
|
Progress 10/01/12 to 09/30/13
Outputs
Target Audience: Target audiences include health care professionals, public health officials, wildlife managers, outdoor enthusiasts, and Nebraska communities and citizens impacted by tick- and mosquito-borne diseases. Efforts Cortinas, M.R. Ticks of public health importance in Nebraska. The 21st Annual Nebraska Urban Pest Management Conference, Lincoln, Nebraska, February 13, 2013. Cortinas, M.R. Diseases transmitted by mosquitoes. The 21st Annual Nebraska Urban Pest Management Conference, Lincoln, Nebraska, February 12, 2013. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? The project has provided training for four graduate students during the report period. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Helped to co-author a tick report with the Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services for physicians. Interviewed on Nebraska Ag Almanac Radio Program concerning tick and mosquito-borne disease issues and bite prevention. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Lone star tick project Verified establishment of lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) in Nebraska and demonstrated ticks and white-tailed deer infected with Ehrlichia chaffeensis and E. ewingii, important lone star tick transmitted disease pathogens. These are the first studies to demonstrate that natural transmission is occurring in the state. The prevalence of Rickettsia spp., Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and E. ewingii were assessed in lone star tick and white-tailed deer populations in Nebraska. The disease pathogens are present and may represent a tick-borne disease risk to citizens of the state. We did not find the newly-described Heartland virus in 300 nymphal ticks collected in extreme southeast Nebraska. The findings were discussed at the national meeting of the Entomological Society of America at a special symposium addressing the dynamic state of tick distribution and tick-borne disease in the Midwest. The results were discussed with the Nebraska Dept. of Health and Human Services which is now considering a substantial effort in tick surveillance in the state. Analysis of small rodent tissue samples further demonstrate that they are not involved in the maintenance of the above pathogens. Additionally, Borrelia burgdoreri, the agent of Lyme disease, was not detected in the vertebrates, at least suggesting that the Lyme disease agent is not circulating in our study sites. Assess establishment vs. occurrence (marginal populations) of lone star ticks. Using criteria developed by the CDC, we are confident that the lone star tick is established in several sites in Nebraska, including heavily used recreational sites in southeast and southcentral Nebraska. Understand the factors contributing to the extension of lone star ticks into the upper Midwest. Following the discussion at the Entomological Society of America meeting, we are developing and enhancing collaborations with regional researchers to begin developing studies looking into larger scale factors contributing to the extension of the geographic range of lone star ticks as well as other ticks of medical concern. Mosquito projects We have finished field and laboratory work assessing the influence of irrigation and crop type on the diversity and density of mosquito species. The objective of this project is to relate West Nile virus transmission risk to agricultural land use in south-central Nebraska. Over 20,000 mosquitoes were collected near Clay Center, Nebraska as part of this study. We also completed blood meal analysis of mosquitoes captured in Lancaster County investigating the use of octenol as an alternative chemoattractant for use in surveillance studies. The results demonstrated that Culex pipiens and Culex tarsalis collected in the county predominantly had fed on humans.
Publications
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Cortinas, R. and S. Spomer. Lone star tick occurrence in Nebraska: historical and current perspectives. Journal of Medical Entomology, 50(2): 244-251; 2013.
- Type:
Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2014
Citation:
Cortinas, R. and S. Spomer. Occurrence and county-level distribution of ticks (Acari: Ixodoidea) in Nebraska, U.S.A., using passive surveillance. Journal of Medical Entomology, in press.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Cortinas, R. Expansion of tick distribution in North America with reference to lone star ticks in Nebraska, Applied Ecology Seminar Series, School of Natural Resources, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, October 19, 2012.
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2013
Citation:
Evaluation of the Efficacy of 1-octen-3-ol and Carbon Dioxide Chemoattractants with Mosquitoes and Bloodmeal Analysis of Culex
Mosquito spp. in Lancaster County, Nebraska
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Other
Year Published:
2012
Citation:
Cortinas, R. Invasion of the blood snatchers: Establishment of blacklegged ticks in Illinois and lone star ticks in Nebraska. A Celebration of the Life and Scientific Contributions of Carl Jones, 60th Annual Meeting of the Entomological Society of America, Knoxville, Tennessee, November 11, 2012.
|
Progress 10/01/11 to 09/30/12
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Outputs 1. Document the occurrence and distribution of ticks of medical and veterinary importance in Nebraska and the region. A) Historical analysis - Historical data were collected from the following sources: Nebraska State Insect Records (NebRecs) maintained by the Entomology Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (NDHHS), Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (NVDL), Centers for Epidemiology and Animal Health (USDA-APHIS-VS-CEAH), National Veterinary Services Laboratories (USDA-APHIS-VS-NVSL), and the U.S. National Tick Collection (USNTC) at Georgia Southern University. A total of 625 tick submission reports dating from 1911 to 2011 were compiled. B) Field collections - Snapshot surveys were conducted in 2010 and 2011 to ascertain tick occurrence across Nebraska. Seventy sites in 43 Nebraska counties were visited in 2010 and 2011; 16 sites were visited both years. The survey yielded 2,169 ticks. 2. Characterize tick population dynamics, life stage development, phenology, and host and habitat associations. In addition to previous years work, we began to focus our efforts in nine sites to characterize lone star tick biology in Nebraska. 3. Characterize tick-borne microorganisms in tick vectors and their hosts. We have trapped and identified ticks collected from white-footed mice collected at eight sites in southeast Nebraska. Hunter-killed deer have also been examined for ticks. Tissues have been collected from mice and deer for disease pathogen prevalence. 4. Ascertain biotic and abiotic factors associated with tick survival and establishment of tick-borne disease foci to develop models of tick and tick-borne disease risk. Not begun work on this objective. Results of these studies have been disseminated to the community, including outdoors enthusiasts (Izaak Walton League of Seward County, Sept 13, 2012), in outreach experiences (Oxbow Animal Health Intermediate veterinary Camp, June 14, 2012, Big Red Summer Academic Camp, June 13, 2012), in training workshops for pest management professionals (The 20th Annual Nebraska Urban Pest Management Conference, Feb. 14, 2012) and in professional conferences (Livestock Insect Workers Conference, June 23, 2012). PARTICIPANTS: Amanda Maegli and Matthew Yans are graduate students that have participated in this project. Stephen Spomer is the laboratory technician that has coordinated the day to day operation of this project. TARGET AUDIENCES: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Nothing significant to report during this reporting period.
Impacts
A. Ticks submitted by citizens 1. Consistent lone star tick identifications from extreme southeast Nebraska began in 1987. Specimens originated from 27 counties, making lone star ticks (Amblyomma americanum) the second most frequently and second most widely reported tick in the state after the American dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis). Submissions of Rocky Mountain wood ticks (D. andersoni) and spinose ear ticks (Otobius megnini) were mostly limited to western Nebraska, and only four blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) and two Gulf Coast ticks (A. maculatum) submissions were recorded. 2.Humans were the most common lone star tick host (80.1% of lone star tick submissions). Nymphs were most commonly submitted (present in 62.9% of lone star tick submissions) compared to adults (32.5%) and larvae (4.6%). B) Field Collections 1. Surveys conducted in 70 sites in 43 counties yielded 2,169 ticks of which 1,035 were lone star ticks. Lone star ticks were found in nine counties from which there were no known submissions. Highest tick densities were associated with sites in the southeast portion of the state. Sites with the highest tick densities were located in the extreme southeast portion of our study area and included Indian Cave SP, Kinter's Ford SWMA, and Table Rock SWMA. The westernmost location where ticks were found was along the Platte River near Gothenburg in Dawson Co. and the northernmost location was Pelican Point SRA in Burt Co., located adjacent to the Missouri River. Lone star ticks were associated with oak/hickory deciduous forests in southeast Nebraska and cottonwood/willow forests in more western and northern sites. Objective 2) A. Adult ticks were identified between March and September, with the highest number of submissions including adults and total number of adults identified occurring in May. Nymphs were identified from March to October, with submissions and number identified peaking in June and a smaller peak in September. B.Because we did not regularly sample at sites where there were high tick numbers, we could not adequately assess life stage seasonal activity; however, most adults and nymphs were collected in May and nymphs were collected from May into August. Most A. americanum larvae were collected in the late summer. Mammal collections - American dog tick larvae were the only ticks collected from white-footed mice. Prevalence of tick-borne disease pathogens will be assessed this spring. No blacklegged ticks have been found on hunter-killed white tailed deer, only winter ticks. Working with the Game and parks commission, we will be assessing Ehrlichia spp. prevalence using lymph nodes collected for chronic wasting disease work, as well as lymph nodes we have collected.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
|
|