21st Annual Student Research Conference
The Effect of Sampling Method on Patterns of Off-host Activity of Amblyomma Americanum in Northeastern Missouri
Laura M. Naegele
Dr. Stephanie Fore, Faculty Mentor
As ticks are vectors of diseases, understanding seasonal, off-host activity is an important component of understanding disease risk. The objective of this research is to determine the effectiveness of two sampling methods to collect ticks in Adair County to report seasonal activity. Cloth drags through vegetation and CO2 bait stations were used to sample ticks every two weeks in the spring and summer of 2007 in two different habitats (one wooded, the other an old field). There was no statistical difference in these two sampling methods in the capture of Amblyomma americanum nymphs and adults. Other ticks were captured, but the number was too few for statistical analysis which could reflect methodology or real population size. Capture rate of A. americanum was higher in the forest than the old field site and peak of activity occurred in late April early May.
Keywords:
Topic(s):Biology
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 3-4
Location: OP Lobby
Time: 4:15