Journal of Vector Ecology最新文献

Detection of Ehrlichia, Francisella, and Rickettsia in Dermacentor Ticks in Eastern Washington. 华盛顿东部地区蜱虫中埃利希体、弗朗西斯氏体和立克次体的检测。

IF 1.3 3区农林科学

Journal of Vector Ecology Pub Date : 2026-06-01 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-51.1-27

Kaden P O'Keefe, Mikelle N Boice, Aaniya M Samuel, Christy C Andrade

{"title":"Detection of Ehrlichia, Francisella, and Rickettsia in Dermacentor Ticks in Eastern Washington.","authors":"Kaden P O'Keefe, Mikelle N Boice, Aaniya M Samuel, Christy C Andrade","doi":"10.52707/1081-1710-51.1-27","DOIUrl":"10.52707/1081-1710-51.1-27","url":null,"abstract":"Dermacentor ticks are widespread in eastern Washington and are known vectors of bacterial pathogens and harborers of endosymbionts belonging to the genera Francisella and Rickettsia. Some Dermacentor species can become infected with Ehrlichia chaffeensis Anderson et al. (Rickettsiales: Ehrlichiaceae); it remains unclear if any are competent vectors for this bacterial pathogen. This study reports the abundance of Dermacentor species and prevalence of select tick-borne bacterial pathogens collected from two conservation areas popular among hikers in Spokane County, Washington. In total, DNA from 599 adult ticks was analyzed using PCR; 87.8% (526/599) were identified as Dermacentor andersoni Stiles and 12.2% (73/599) as D. similis Lado, Glon and Klompen (Ixodida: Ixodidae). Ticks were also screened for the presence of bacterial DNA using genus- or species-specific primers targeting Rickettsia spp., Francisella spp., and E. chaffeensis. Rickettsia endosymbionts, R. peacockii Niebylski et al. or R. rhipicephali (Burgdorfer et al.) Weiss and Moulder (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), were found in 4.0% (21/526) of D. andersoni. Francisella-like endosymbionts were detected in 65.9% (395/599) of all ticks. No species known to be pathogenic belonging to either Rickettsia or Francisella were detected. However, E. chaffeensis was detected in 15.3% (12/73) of D. similis, which to our knowledge is the first report of ticks harboring this species of bacteria in Washington state. These findings contribute to understanding the microbial ecology of ticks in the Inland Northwest.","PeriodicalId":56065,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vector Ecology","volume":"51 1","pages":"27-38"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148392454","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Effects of ash from different tree species on survival and vigor of ixodid ticks. 不同树种灰对蜱存活和活力的影响。

IF 1.3 3区农林科学

Journal of Vector Ecology Pub Date : 2026-06-01 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-51.1-1

Francesca I Rubino, Samantha Schuchman, Laura Backus, Janet Foley

{"title":"Effects of ash from different tree species on survival and vigor of ixodid ticks.","authors":"Francesca I Rubino, Samantha Schuchman, Laura Backus, Janet Foley","doi":"10.52707/1081-1710-51.1-1","DOIUrl":"10.52707/1081-1710-51.1-1","url":null,"abstract":"Ticks (Ixodida: Ixodidae) encounter ash after wildfires or controlled burns-either directly or via wildlife that bathe in ash. Despite its use to control ectoparasites in traditional ethnoveterinary practices, the effects of plant-derived ash remain unstudied. We evaluated ash from three tree species that grow in California-coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens (D.Don) Endl.; Cupressaceae), California bay laurel (Umbellularia californica (Hook. & Arn.) Nutt.; Lauraceae), and non-native Tasmanian blue gum eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus Labill.; Myrtaceae)-on survival and behavior of four ixodid tick species: Ixodes pacificus Cooley & Kohls (larvae, adult females), Dermacentor occidentalis Marx (larvae, adults), D. similis Lado, Glon & Klompen (adults), and D. albipictus Packard (larvae). Treatments included ash, two commercial acaricidal dusts (diatomaceous earth and kaolin clay), and a negative control. Eucalyptus ash significantly reduced survival in I. pacificus larvae and females and D. occidentalis larvae, with effects comparable to positive controls. Bay ash showed moderate lethality in I. pacificus females and D. occidentalis larvae. Redwood ash had strong effects only on D. albipictus larvae. Dermacentor species showed low overall susceptibility; larvae were more affected than adults, which showed no lethal effects. Our findings suggest that ash type, tick species, and life stage influence outcomes. This is the first laboratory study to show the effects of plant ash on ticks, supporting ash as a potential alternative for tick control and highlighting fire's indirect role in tickborne disease dynamics.","PeriodicalId":56065,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vector Ecology","volume":"51 1","pages":"1-11"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148392460","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Visual cues modulate oviposition behavior in laboratory-reared gravid black flies Simulium vittatum Zetterstedt (Diptera: Simuliidae). 视觉线索对实验室养殖黑蝇产卵行为的调节（双翅目：黑蝇科）。

IF 1.3 3区农林科学

Journal of Vector Ecology Pub Date : 2026-06-01 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-51.1-48

Bridget O Aito-Bobadoye, Darold Batzer, Elmer W Gray, Skyler M Kerr

{"title":"Visual cues modulate oviposition behavior in laboratory-reared gravid black flies Simulium vittatum Zetterstedt (Diptera: Simuliidae).","authors":"Bridget O Aito-Bobadoye, Darold Batzer, Elmer W Gray, Skyler M Kerr","doi":"10.52707/1081-1710-51.1-48","DOIUrl":"10.52707/1081-1710-51.1-48","url":null,"abstract":"Color vision in hematophagous insects is a core sensory mechanism that enhances the detection of contrast during host seeking, oviposition site, and substrate selection. Understanding the effects of visual cues on black fly oviposition behavior can be a useful tool for control in field settings. This study evaluated the modulatory role that substrate color plays in oviposition behavior of laboratory-reared Simulium vittatum (Zetterstedt) (Diptera: Simuliidae) gravid females. We conducted multi-choice oviposition assays to examine the effects of color treatment (white, yellow, green, and grey egg sheets) on oviposition behavior and egg-laying densities. Results revealed a highly significant effect of color treatment on egg deposition (F3, 15 = 33.58, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.898), which explained 89.80% of the total variance in egg distribution. White egg sheets resulted in significantly higher egg percentages (50.75 ± 7.33%) compared to yellow (18.20 ± 2.47%), green (15.95 ± 2.52%), and grey (15.07 ± 5.58%), representing a 2.5-fold difference between white and grey options. These results highlight the importance of visual cues in shaping oviposition behavior in S. vittatum and offer actionable insights for optimizing egg collection efficiency as a control measure under field settings. These findings can be further explored to enhance the design of gravid traps, decoy substrates or push-pull tools for black fly control.","PeriodicalId":56065,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vector Ecology","volume":"51 1","pages":"48-54"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148392473","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Biological parameters of Triatoma longipennis recently introduced into Central Mexico. 墨西哥中部新近引种的长柄三角蝽的生物学参数。

IF 1.3 3区农林科学

Journal of Vector Ecology Pub Date : 2026-06-01 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-51.1-39

Yunuen Grant-Guillén, Mauro Omar Vences-Blanco, Diana Monserrat Martínez-Grant, José Alejandro Martínez-Ibarra

{"title":"Biological parameters of Triatoma longipennis recently introduced into Central Mexico.","authors":"Yunuen Grant-Guillén, Mauro Omar Vences-Blanco, Diana Monserrat Martínez-Grant, José Alejandro Martínez-Ibarra","doi":"10.52707/1081-1710-51.1-39","DOIUrl":"10.52707/1081-1710-51.1-39","url":null,"abstract":"There are many invasive alien insect species, several of these species can affect human health by causing disease. These include vectors of vector-borne diseases, such as the triatomines that transmit Chagas disease. Triatoma longipennis Usinger (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) is one of the most epidemiologically important vector species of Trypanosoma cruzi Chagas (Trypanosomatida: Trypanosomatidae) in Mexico. This study reports the third collection of T. longipennis from the state of Hidalgo, Mexico, where the prevalence of T. cruzi infection in humans has historically exceeded 3.38%. This study evaluates several biological parameters of T. longipennis related to the egg-to-adult development time, number of blood meals to molt, and mortality for each instar, of two populations of the invasive species T. longipennis, recently detected in Hidalgo, as well as fecundity and fertility of females at the end of the cycle. Similar results were observed in the two populations for parameters studied, such as median egg-to-adult development time (162, 174 days), number of blood meals at each nymphal instar (7, 8 meals), total mortality (56%, 61%), fecundity (2.8 eggs/female/day) and fertility (83.3, 84.2%). These observed parameters suggest that both populations of the invasive T. longipennis detected in Hidalgo could be important transmitters of T. cruzi and could replace key triatomine species within their new distribution area.","PeriodicalId":56065,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vector Ecology","volume":"51 1","pages":"39-47"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148392359","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Effect of floor type on survival of Amblyomma maculatum and Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae). 地板类型对斑点无足螨和美洲无足螨存活的影响。

IF 1.3 3区农林科学

Journal of Vector Ecology Pub Date : 2026-06-01 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-50.1-12

Afsoon Sabet, Risa Pesapane, Samuel F Ward

{"title":"Effect of floor type on survival of Amblyomma maculatum and Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae).","authors":"Afsoon Sabet, Risa Pesapane, Samuel F Ward","doi":"10.52707/1081-1710-50.1-12","DOIUrl":"10.52707/1081-1710-50.1-12","url":null,"abstract":"Exposure to ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) puts humans and their companion animals at risk of tick bites and potential pathogen transmission. Bites often occur when humans encounter ticks outdoors, but there may also be a risk in the home given the propensity of ticks to hitchhike on clothes and pets. We assessed survival of two tick species widely distributed across the southeastern United States, Amblyomma maculatum Koch and A. americanum Linnaeus, on different types of flooring commonly found in residential homes. We placed ticks individually onto one of five different types of flooring (tile, wood, vinyl, short pile carpet, and long pile carpet; n = 180 total, 36 ticks per species per floor type). Ticks were contained in plastic cups fixed in place on each floor type to reduce movement and/or escape and promote tick contact with the flooring. Survival was assessed as a function of the interaction between species and floor type. We found that A. maculatum ticks survived for significantly longer periods of time than A. americanum (median survival/mean survival) on vinyl (22.5/25.4 vs. 11.5/10.4 d), wood (18.5/16.1 vs. 11.0/12.2 d), tile (21.0/20.4 vs. 6.5/7.33 d) and short pile carpet (20.0/20.8 vs. 10.5/10.8 d), but A. americanum lived longer overall on long pile carpet (13.0/10.4 vs. 13.0/14.9 d). Our findings help clarify expected tick survival following entry into the home, and how floor type can mediate in-home tick exposure. Furthermore, this work emphasizes the necessity of performing tick checks, wearing protective clothing, and applying appropriate acaricides to people and pets to prevent tick transportation into the home.","PeriodicalId":56065,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vector Ecology","volume":"51 1","pages":"12-21"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148392465","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Simulated adult control on laboratory larval mesocosms demonstrates overcompensation in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae). 模拟成蚊对实验室幼虫中子膜虫的控制表明，黄热病蚊子埃及伊蚊（双翅目：库蚊科）存在过度补偿。

IF 1.3 3区农林科学

Journal of Vector Ecology Pub Date : 2026-06-01 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-50.1-22

Nicole Scavo, Gabriel Hamer

{"title":"Simulated adult control on laboratory larval mesocosms demonstrates overcompensation in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).","authors":"Nicole Scavo, Gabriel Hamer","doi":"10.52707/1081-1710-50.1-22","DOIUrl":"10.52707/1081-1710-50.1-22","url":null,"abstract":"Mortality events can affect populations in counterintuitive ways leading to compensation or overcompensation when density-dependent effects are present. These phenomena occur in a variety of taxa and are particularly important to understand for the management of commercial species, the conservation of endangered species, and the control of arthropod pests. Using a mesocosm experimental design, we simulated different levels of adult control by altering larval densities (i.e. via the simulated mortality event) to assess mortality effects in Aedes aegypti L. (Diptera: Culicidae). Various larval densities were placed in containers with 500 mL water and given the same amount of food per container, resulting in different food to larvae ratios. A segmented liner analysis approach was used to determine the response of the mosquitoes to starting larval densities. We found that overcompensation occurred with the most adults produced at medium levels of mortality. Adult production and development had a non-linear relationship with food per larvae. Wing length and percent survival showed significant variation from linear relationships across starting larval densities. Our results suggest that medium densities of Ae. aegypti larvae, simulating medium levels of control, will produce the most adult females with a relatively large body size. Control efforts for Ae. aegypti should take the potential of density-dependent effects into account in planning and analysis stages to ensure overcompensation does not result.","PeriodicalId":56065,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vector Ecology","volume":"51 1","pages":"22-26"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2026-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148392446","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Molecular detection of Japanese encephalitis virus and Murray Valley encephalitis virus in mosquitoes: implications for disease transmission in the Northern Territory, Australia. 蚊子中日本脑炎病毒和墨累谷脑炎病毒的分子检测：对澳大利亚北部地区疾病传播的影响。

IF 1.3 3区农林科学

Journal of Vector Ecology Pub Date : 2025-12-01 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-50.2-82

Nina Kurucz, Alexander P Roberts, Richard P Weir, Vidya Bhardwaj, Rachel De Araujo, Bart J Currie, Jackie E Mahar, Matthew J Neave, Patrick Mileto, David T Williams

{"title":"Molecular detection of Japanese encephalitis virus and Murray Valley encephalitis virus in mosquitoes: implications for disease transmission in the Northern Territory, Australia.","authors":"Nina Kurucz, Alexander P Roberts, Richard P Weir, Vidya Bhardwaj, Rachel De Araujo, Bart J Currie, Jackie E Mahar, Matthew J Neave, Patrick Mileto, David T Williams","doi":"10.52707/1081-1710-50.2-82","DOIUrl":"10.52707/1081-1710-50.2-82","url":null,"abstract":"In 2021, Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) reverse transcription quantitative RT-qPCR testing of mosquitoes was used for the first time in the Northern Territory (NT) in an attempt to determine the presence of circulating JEV and identify probable vector mosquito species. All test results for 2021 and 2022 returned negative for JEV. Testing resumed in January, 2023, with mosquitoes also tested for Murray Valley encephalitis virus (MVEV) following an outbreak resulting in eight confirmed human cases. Mosquito pools tested positive by RT-qPCR for both viruses on several occasions, confirming the suitability of this method for flavivirus surveillance. Culex annulirostris (Skuse) and Cx. gelidus (Theobald) tested RT-qPCR positive for both viruses in 2023, incriminating them as JEV and MVEV vectors in the NT. Aedes normanensis (Taylor) also tested positive for JEV and MVEV, identifying this species as a probable vector species for both viruses in the NT. While Cx. annulirostris is known to be the principal MVEV vector in the NT, the fact that all three vector mosquito species potentially play a part in the JEV transmission cycle is of major public health concern. While Cx. tritaeniorhynchus (Giles) did not test positive to JEV in 2023, this species is the principal JEV vector in SE Asia and could potentially play a role in JEV transmission in the NT. Genotyping of viruses from the NT mosquitoes confirmed the continued circulation of genotype IV JEV and showed that both genotypes 1A and 2 of MVEV were co-circulating in the NT in 2023.","PeriodicalId":56065,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vector Ecology","volume":"50 2","pages":"82-92"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145795677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Genetic diversity and haplotype distribution of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks across Europe, including new data from the Baltic States region. 欧洲网纹革蜱的遗传多样性和单倍型分布，包括来自波罗的海国家地区的新数据。

IF 1.3 3区农林科学

Journal of Vector Ecology Pub Date : 2025-12-01 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-50.2-147

Algimantas Paulauskas, Matas Galdikas, Asta Aleksandravičienė, Loreta Griciuvienė, Dalytė Mardosaitė-Busaitienė, Jana Radzijevskaja

{"title":"Genetic diversity and haplotype distribution of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks across Europe, including new data from the Baltic States region.","authors":"Algimantas Paulauskas, Matas Galdikas, Asta Aleksandravičienė, Loreta Griciuvienė, Dalytė Mardosaitė-Busaitienė, Jana Radzijevskaja","doi":"10.52707/1081-1710-50.2-147","DOIUrl":"10.52707/1081-1710-50.2-147","url":null,"abstract":"Dermacentor reticulatus is a widely distributed tick species in Europe, whose rapid range expansion and importance as a vector of multiple pathogens have increased scientific interest in its genetic diversity and population structure. The Baltic States region, which has been experiencing D. reticulatus tick migration into northern areas over the last two decades, with its unique ecological and climatic conditions, could offer valuable insights into tick distribution patterns and their genetic structure in northern European ranges. This study aimed to investigate the genetic variation of D. reticulatus across its European range, including new data from the Baltic States. Genetic variability of 83 D. reticulatus tick samples from 42 locations across the Baltic states, central, western, and southeastern Europe was assessed using mitochondrial (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA) and nuclear (ITS2) markers. The study revealed low genetic variability in D. reticulatus populations across Europe, characterized by a dominant haplotype present in the Baltic states as well as central and western Europe. Unique haplotypes discovered in the Baltic region may be associated with environmental factors and the recent range expansion of the species. The presence of unique haplotypes and genetic variability among northern D. reticulatus populations suggests ongoing local adaptation driven by environmental pressures, including regional climate and landscape heterogeneity in newly colonized habitats.","PeriodicalId":56065,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vector Ecology","volume":"50 2","pages":"147-157"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145795717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Comparative evaluation of Amblyomma americanum and Dermacentor variabilis microbial agents and human disease case data in seven Piedmont counties of North Carolina, 2020-2023. 2020-2023年美国北卡罗莱纳州皮埃蒙特县7个县美国钝眼虫和变皮心菌微生物制剂与人类疾病病例数据的比较评价

IF 1.3 3区农林科学

Journal of Vector Ecology Pub Date : 2025-12-01 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-50.2-120

Dayvion R Adams, Alexis M Barbarin, Michael H Reiskind

{"title":"Comparative evaluation of Amblyomma americanum and Dermacentor variabilis microbial agents and human disease case data in seven Piedmont counties of North Carolina, 2020-2023.","authors":"Dayvion R Adams, Alexis M Barbarin, Michael H Reiskind","doi":"10.52707/1081-1710-50.2-120","DOIUrl":"10.52707/1081-1710-50.2-120","url":null,"abstract":"Tick-borne pathogens pose an ongoing threat to human health in the southeastern United States, where tick and host abundances are high. In North Carolina, several medically important tick species are present, but in the Piedmont region, Amblyomma americanum is particularly abundant and associated with multiple human pathogens, including Rickettsia amblyommatis, a hypothesized human pathogen. In this study, we build on recent tick surveillance efforts across several North Carolina counties by screening A. americanum for Ehrlichia ewingii, Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and R. amblyommatis while also analyzing tick abundance, pathogen prevalence, and county-level human disease case data from the North Carolina Department of Health to assess potential correlations. Our results reveal variation in pathogen prevalence across counties, with Chatham County consistently emerging as a high-risk area due to high tick abundance and elevated infection rates. However, we did not observe a strong correlation between tick abundance or pathogen prevalence and reported human disease cases at the county level. These findings highlight counties of elevated risk in a region experiencing an increasing burden of tick-borne disease and contribute to our understanding of ongoing public health trends.","PeriodicalId":56065,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vector Ecology","volume":"50 2","pages":"120-126"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145795749","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0

Larval development habitats of Culicoides sonorensis midges in the western United States. 美国西部索诺库蠓幼虫发育生境研究。

IF 1.3 3区农林科学

Journal of Vector Ecology Pub Date : 2025-12-01 DOI: 10.52707/1081-1710-50.2-138

Carly Barbera, Christie Mayo, T Alex Perkins, Jason R Rohr

{"title":"Larval development habitats of Culicoides sonorensis midges in the western United States.","authors":"Carly Barbera, Christie Mayo, T Alex Perkins, Jason R Rohr","doi":"10.52707/1081-1710-50.2-138","DOIUrl":"10.52707/1081-1710-50.2-138","url":null,"abstract":"Culicoides midges are vectors of bluetongue virus (BTV), an arbovirus affecting wild and domestic ruminants. Bluetongue distribution generally overlaps with vector range, so understanding the vector's ecology is necessary for predicting BTV risk. Culicoides require moist substrate for development, and C. sonorensis, the primary recognized vector in the western United States, is classically associated with livestock wastewater ponds. However, it is well-known that BTV can be found outside of livestock areas, with transmission occurring in natural settings. To better classify development habitat, we conducted a broad biweekly survey of moist and wet habitats from June to September of 2022 in northern Colorado at ten sites, including large livestock operations, non-commercial domestic operations, and natural spaces. Samples were maintained in the insectary for 11 weeks and monitored for emergence of adult midges. Standing water substrates displayed higher presence and abundance of midges than running or transient habitats, though all microhabitats showed emergence. Additionally, livestock sites did not produce more midges than other site types, and in fact more midges were observed in natural spaces per sample and overall. Livestock spaces did, however, show significantly higher proportions of C. sonorensis midges, which are thought to be the most competent vectors of BTV in this region, as opposed to other Culicoides species. These results suggest that development sites in natural areas may play an important role in maintaining vector populations in the western U.S. outside of previously implicated livestock operations, and that differences in larval habitat lead to differences in vector species composition.","PeriodicalId":56065,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Vector Ecology","volume":"50 2","pages":"138-146"},"PeriodicalIF":1.3,"publicationDate":"2025-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145795738","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

引用次数: 0