Ticks of Delaware revisited: an updated checklist of hard ticks (Ixodidae) and first records of soft ticks (Argasidae) in the First State.

Abstract

It has been more than three-quarters of a century since the inaugural report of Delaware's ticks was published. To provide an updated checklist of tick species currently known to occur in Delaware, we reviewed the scientific literature, examined tick collections, accessed archived tick specimen data, and analyzed findings from the state's ongoing tick surveillance program, initiated in 2019. We report here a total of 15 established hard tick species (Ixodidae), as well as additional Ixodidae and 2 soft tick species (Argasidae) that are not yet confirmed as established. We summarize the phenology of each species and its known distribution in Delaware and public health importance. We also provide a table of known tick-host associations for Delaware.