Romanenko V.N. 2024. Abundance changes of the tick Dermacentor reticulatus Fabricius, 1794 (Parasitiformes, Ixodidae) in the northern limit of its distribution // Euroasian Entomological Journal. Vol.23. No.3: 141–144 [in English].
Tomsk State University, Lenina Prosp. 36, Tomsk 634050 Russia. E-mail: vnremont@mail.ru
doi 10.15298/euroasentj.23.03.06
ABSTRACT. Results of a 5-year tick accounting survey along the southern slope of a low hill in the forest zone of West Siberia are provided. The route taken for this account was from the southern suburb of the City of Tomsk at 56°26.569' N, 084°59.772' E, to a final point at 56°26.711' N, 085°00.228' E. The first individuals of ticks collected from flag-traps were immediately after snow cover had melted as it was assumed that individuals of Dermacentor reticulatus Fabricius become active activity after mid-April. Ticks accounting began after the snow had disappeared on the slope, although the snow remained in the forest and at lower levels. Numbers were determined at intervals of 5 to days depending on the climatic conditions until the beginning of July, when almost all adults started their diapause. At the beginning of August, accounting resumed and continued during the autumn until snow covering appeared. The maximum numbers of ticks were registered from the third decade of April until the first decade of May, but strongly decreased thereafter. Spring activity ended with a low abundance of ticks in the third decade of May or the third decade of June, and interchanged with the start of diapause, which lasts until the first decade of August. In comparison with the spring, the number of ticks halved during the autumnal activity, and stopped after the appearance of snow.
KEY WORDS: Dermacentor reticulatus, abundance changes, diapausa, accountings.