The Effects of Soil pH and Composition on Blacklegged Tick Molting Success

Abstract

The blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis), commonly known for spreading Lyme disease, is one of the most significant vectors of infectious disease in the world. Both the range of the blacklegged tick and annual incidence of Lyme are increasing in North America, stressing the importance of understanding what environmental factors impact tick survival. Past studies have shown these factors include rainfall, groundcover, plant and animal community composition, temperature, and soils. Because ticks spend much of their lives in contact with soil, it is not unreasonable to assume soil type and pH can impact tick survival, yet this interaction is arguably one of the most poorly understood. The Albany Pine Bush Preserve in Albany, New York is characterized by acidic loam‐sand soils that support very high tick densities. To test the effects of soil type and pH on ticks, chipmunk‐fed engorged nymphal ticks were collected from the Pine Bush and placed in 4 soil treatments: sand moistened with an acidic solution (buffer), sand moistened with basic buffer, acidic Pine Bush soil, and CaCO3 altered basic Pine Bush soil. Results suggest molting success was higher in acidic soils than basic soils and higher in Pine Bush soils than sands. Further research may aid in predicting future range expansion and disease exposure, potentially adding insight into tick control methods. Funding: Mellon Foundation Grant to UC ESPE and NSF #EF‐0812946.