Ixodes persulcatus [Schulze 1930] (Acari: Ixodidae) in eastern Finland

Abstract

Data concerning the occurrence and abundance of the taiga tick Ixodes persulcatus in eastern Finland (North Karelia and Kainuu regions) are presented. Sampling was carried out in May 2008 and June 2009, around the University of Joensuu Mekrijärvi Research Station and the City of Kuhmo. In 2008 and 2009, the abundance of adult taiga ticks in the first study area was 0.17 and 0.13 ticks per flag-km, respectively. Only a single I. persulcatus specimenwas found in the second study area (abundance was 0.02 specimens per flag-km). All ticks (635 specimens) collected from cats and dogs in south-eastern Finlandwere identified as Ixodes ricinus.