Ecology

Biology

Predation

Haemaphysalis longicornis

Vulpes

Amblyomma americanum

Tick

Veterinary medicine

Ixodidae

Geography

Medicine

Zoology

Ixodes scapularis

Odocoileus

Wildlife

Transboundary and Emerging Diseases

Haemaphysalis longicornis, the Asian longhorned tick (ALT), is native to eastern Asia, but it has become invasive in several countries, including Australia, New Zealand and recently in the eastern United States (US). To identify wild mammal and avian host species in the US, we conducted active wildlife surveillance in two states with known ALT infestations (Virginia and New Jersey). In addition, we conducted environmental surveys in both states. These surveillance efforts resulted in detection of 51 ALT-infested individuals from seven wildlife species, including raccoon (Procyon lotor), Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), red fox (Vulpes vulpes), woodchuck (Marmota monax), eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus), striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). We found ALT in the environment in both states and also collected three native tick species (Amblyomma americanum, Dermacentor variablis and Ixodes scapularis) that are vectors of pathogens of public health and veterinary importance. This study provides important specific information on the wildlife host range of ALT in the US.

Surveys for ticks on wildlife hosts and in the environment at Asian longhorned tick (<i>Haemaphysalis longicornis</i>)‐positive sites in Virginia and New Jersey, 2018

Surveys for ticks on wildlife hosts and in the environment at Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis)‐positive sites in Virginia and New Jersey, 2018