Seasonal abundance and activity of the tick Dermacentor everestianus (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Tibetan Plateau, China.

Abstract

Dermacentor everestianus is an important vector for several pathogens endemic in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. However, knowledge of its seasonal activity and abundance is limited. Hence, the seasonal dynamics of questing and host-feeding D. everestianus were investigated from March 2014 to February 2016 in Damxung County, north of Lhasa City in Tibet. During the 2-year period, questing ticks were collected weekly from two habitats (grassland and shrubs) by flag-dragging. Host-feeding ticks were removed weekly from sheep and their attachment sites were recorded. Plateau pikas (Ochotona curzoniae) captured by traps were examined for immature ticks from May to September 2014. Results revealed that questing D. everestianus were primarily distributed in grassland, whereas host-feeding adults and nymphs were mainly found on sheep, and larvae usually were on plateau pikas. Dermacentor everestianus can complete one generation per year with population overlap between the larvae and nymphs. Adults were mainly observed from February to April with the major peak occurring in late March. Additionally, unfed adults were detected on sheep from August to next February. Nymphs were found from late May to July and reached their peak in late June. Larvae collected during May and June reached peak numbers in late May.