Medium-Sized Mammal Hosts of Amblyomma americanum and Dermacentor variabilis (Acari: Ixodidae) at Land Between the Lakes, Tennessee, and Effects of Integrated Tick Management on Host Infestations

The abundance and distribution of Amblyomma americanum (L.) and Dermacentor variabilis (Say) among nine species of medium-sized mammals were examined at an integrated tick management site at Land Between the Lakes, Tennessee, from 1984 to 1986. The most important hosts (mean abundance) during April to October for immature A. americanum were the raccoon, striped skunk, Eastern cottontail rabbit, and Virginia opossum. The medium-sized mammals examined had low numbers of adult A. americanum. Immature D. variabilis were mostly on raccoon and gray squirrel. The main hosts of adult D. variabilis were raccoons and opossums. Acaricide treatment and mowing of campsites, playgrounds, and roadways reduced the number of subadult A. americanum on opossums (64% nymphs, 76% larvae) and cottontail rabbits (86% nymphs, 86% larvae), but appeared to have no effect on D. variabilis infestation of opossums. Deer removal contributed to a reduction in the number of subadult A. americanum on opossums and rabbits inside and outside a deer exclusion. The importance of medium-sized mammals in reinfesting recreation areas with ticks is discussed.