Field Investigations on the American Dog Tick, Dermacentor Variabilis, in Northwest Ohio (Acari: Ixodidae)

Abstract

"Ecological investigations on the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis, were conducted in two metroparks located in Lucas County, Ohio. For both years, adult tick activity began in late April, and adult ticks wre most abundant from early May to mid-June. Observed activity had ceased by early August, producing a unimodal pattern of activity. Sunny days with temperatures betweeen 24¡ and 32¡ C were most coducive to adult tick activity, and adult ticks were most abundant on grass trails and in meadows. Using nest boxes inhabited by white-foot mice, imature tick surveys were conducted in 1989 and 1990. For both years, larval abundance peaked in early May and nmphal abundance peaked in late June or early July.