Surveillance of Host-Seeking Ticks in the Flint Hills Region (USA) and Associations with Environmental Determinants

Diversity and phenology of host-seeking ticks were studied in the Flint Hills region USA, which is a prominent for raising beef cattle. Between two-year period from 2015–2017, collected using dragging method 9 distant locations, 6 seasonally 3 continuously throughout study period. Of 10,055 collected, 76.5% Lonestar tick (Amblyomma americanum), 14% American dog (Dermacentor variabilis), 9.1% Gulf Coast (A. maculatum). The blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis also found, albeit low numbers. activity all three predominant species peaked once during late spring, summer months region. was positively associated with accumulated temperature photoperiod. Additionally, Normalized Vegetation Difference Index (NDVI) A. americanum, saturation deficit relative humidity negatively D. variabilis maculatum phenology, respectively. This finding useful to predict times year cattle are at higher risk exposure these pathogens.