Natural attachment duration of nymphs of the tick Ixodes uriae (Acari: Ixodidae) on kittiwake Rissa tridactyla nestlings

Daily searches of the plumage of 62 kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) chicks were carried out for 3 weeks to determine the attachment duration of the tick Ixodes uriae. All ticks recorded were nymphs and their mean duration of attachment was 5.2±1.7 days (n=93). Seventy-four per cent of the ticks survived to engorgement and were assumed to have fed successfully. The mean duration of attachment of successful ticks was 5.8±1.0 days (n=69), significantly longer than that of unsuccessful ticks (3.3±2.1 days, n=24). There was no difference in survival rates to engorgement between ticks attached to feathered and unfeathered parts of the body (78.3 and 79.2%, respectively), but the duration of attachment of successful ticks was significantly longer on unfeathered compared to feathered areas. There were no significant differences in the survival to engorgement or duration of attachment between ticks found on young (c.11 days) and old (>11 days) kittiwake nestlings. The attachment duration was not related to the total number of ticks found on the host or the number of ticks present in the immediate vicinity of the site of attachment. This work provides important data on the parameter of attachment durations of nymphal I. uriae on free-living kittiwakes; the data can be used for incorporation into the application of population modelling.     

Factors influencing the distribution of questing ticks and the prevalence estimation of T. parva infection in brown ear ticks in the Tanga region, Tanzania.

Questing ticks from various districts and agro-ecological zones (AEZ) in the Tanga Region of Tanzania were studied for a two-year period between September 1999 and July 2001. Collections of both nymphal and adult ticks occurred at 29 sites using a blanket or white cloth dragging technique. The species recorded in the order of decreasing abundance were Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Boophilus spp., and Ambylomma variegatum. Rhipicephalus appendiculatus field infestation levels varied across administrative districts and seasons, with Amani and the cool-to-dry season having lower tick counts ( = -2.09, SE = 0.71, P < 0.001 and = -1.54, SE = 0.56, P = 0.006 for Amani and cool to dry season, respectively). Based on the polymerase chain reaction technique, Theileria parva infection prevalence in adult R. appendiculatus was estimated to be 2.6%. Implications of these findings in light of the spatial and temporal distribution of ticks are discussed for the accurate diagnosis of multiple tick-borne diseases, the infected vector tick, the endemic status of T. parva in the region, and the implemention of control strategies.     

Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Humans with Tick Bites and Erythema Migrans,in the Netherlands

BackgroundTick-borne diseases are the most prevalent vector-borne diseases in Europe. Knowledge on the incidence and clinical presentation of other tick-borne diseases than Lyme borreliosis and tick-borne encephalitis is minimal, despite the high human exposure to these pathogens through tick bites. Using molecular detection techniques, the frequency of tick-borne infections after exposure through tick bites was estimated.MethodsTicks, blood samples and questionnaires on health status were collected from patients that visited their general practitioner with a tick bite or erythema migrans in 2007 and 2008. The presence of several tick-borne pathogens in 314 ticks and 626 blood samples of this cohort were analyzed using PCR-based methods. Using multivariate logistic regression, associations were explored between pathogens detected in blood and self-reported symptoms at enrolment and during a three-month follow-up period.ResultsHalf of the ticks removed from humans tested positive for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Rickettsia helvetica, Rickettsia monacensis, Borrelia miyamotoi and several Babesia species. Among 92 Borrelia burgdorferi s. l. positive ticks, 33% carried another pathogen from a different genus. In blood of sixteen out of 626 persons with tick bites or erythema migrans, DNA was detected from Candidatus Neoehrlichia mikurensis (n = 7), Anaplasma phagocytophilum (n = 5), Babesia divergens (n = 3), Borrelia miyamotoi (n = 1) and Borrelia burgdorferi s. l. (n = 1). None of these sixteen individuals reported any overt symptoms that would indicate a corresponding illness during the three-month follow-up period. No associations were found between the presence of pathogen DNA in blood and; self-reported symptoms, with pathogen DNA in the corresponding ticks (n = 8), reported tick attachment duration, tick engorgement, or antibiotic treatment at enrolment.ConclusionsBased on molecular detection techniques, the probability of infection with a tick-borne pathogen other than Lyme spirochetes after a tick bite is roughly 2.4%, in the Netherlands. Similarly, among patients with erythema migrans, the probability of a co-infection with another tick-borne pathogen is approximately 2.7%. How often these infections cause disease symptoms or to what extend co-infections affect the course of Lyme borreliosis needs further investigations.     

Borrelia sp. in ticks recovered from white-tailed deer in Alabama.

Six hundred sixty-five hunter-killed white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from 18 counties in Alabama (USA) were examined for ticks. Most of the collections were made at state-operated wildlife management areas. Four species of ticks (n = 4,527) were recovered: the lone star tick Amblyomma americanum (n = 482); the Gulf Coast tick A. maculatum (n = 11); the winter tick Dermacentor albipictus (n = 1,242); and the black-legged tick Ixodes scapularis (n = 2,792). Fifty-six percent of the ticks (n = 2,555) were examined for Borrelia sp. spirochetes using an immunofluorescent, polyclonal antibody assay. Spirochetes were detected in I. scapularis (five females, seven males) from Barbour, Butler, Coosa, and Lee counties and A. americanum (four males, four nymphs) from Hale, Lee, and Wilcox counties. Area-specific prevalences in ticks were as high as 3.3% for I. scapularis and 3.8% for A. americanum.     

Prevalence, distribution and risk associated with tick infestation of dogs in Great Britain

Current concerns over the potential impacts of climate change and the increased movement between countries of people and companion animals on the distribution of ectoparasites, highlight the need for accurate understanding of existing prevalence patterns. Without these future changes will not be detected. Here, the distribution and prevalence of tick infestations of domestic dogs in Great Britain were examined. A total of 173 veterinary practices were recruited to monitor tick attachment to dogs in their local areas between March and October 2009. Practices selected five dogs at random each week from those brought to the surgery and undertook a thorough, standardized examination for ticks. Each veterinary practice participated for 3 months before being replaced. Any ticks identified were collected and a sample sent to the investigators for identification, along with a clinical history of the dog. A total of 3534 dogs were examined; 810 dogs were found to be carrying at least one tick. Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus) (Acari: Ixodidae) was identified in 72.1% of cases, Ixodes hexagonus Leach in 21.7% and Ixodes canisuga Johnston in 5.6% of cases. Five samples of Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius) (Acari: Ixodidae) were also found, adding to the growing evidence that an established population of D. reticulatus now exists in south-eastern England. Almost all the ticks found were adults. Overall, 19.2% of the veterinary practices reported no tick detections, 50% reported that ≥14.9% of the dogs seen were infested and 14.6% reported that >50% of the dogs inspected carried ticks. The estimated incidence of tick attachment was 0.013 per day in March (lowest) and 0.096 per day in June (highest). A number of risk factors affected the likelihood of tick attachment on dogs. Gundog, terrier and pastoral breed groups were more likely to carry ticks, as were non-neutered dogs. Dogs with shorter hair were less likely to have ticks, and dogs were most likely to carry a tick in June. This study is of value because, unusually, it presents the results of a randomized sample of dogs and gives a prevalence which is higher than those previously recorded in Great Britain.     

Real-time PCR for simultaneous detection and quantification of Borrelia burgdorferi in field-collected Ixodes scapularis ticks from the Northeastern United States

The density of spirochetes in field-collected or experimentally infected ticks is estimated mainly by assays based on microscopy. In this study, a real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) protocol targeting the Borrelia burgdorferi-specific recA gene was adapted for use with a Lightcycler for rapid detection and quantification of the Lyme disease spirochete, B. burgdorferi, in field-collected Ixodes scapularis ticks. The sensitivity of qPCR for detection of B. burgdorferi DNA in infected ticks was comparable to that of a well-established nested PCR targeting the 16S-23S rRNA spacer. Of the 498 I. scapularis ticks collected from four northeastern states (Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey), 91 of 438 (20.7%) nymphal ticks and 15 of 60 (25.0%) adult ticks were positive by qPCR assay. The number of spirochetes in individual ticks varied from 25 to 197,200 with a mean of 1,964 spirochetes per nymphal tick and a mean of 5,351 spirochetes per adult tick. No significant differences were found in the mean numbers of spirochetes counted either in nymphal ticks collected at different locations in these four states (P = 0.23 by one-way analysis of variance test) or in ticks infected with the three distinct ribosomal spacer restriction fragment length polymorphism types of B. burgdorferi (P = 0.39). A high degree of spirochete aggregation among infected ticks (variance-to-mean ratio of 24,877; moment estimate of k = 0.279) was observed. From the frequency distribution data and previously published transmission studies, we estimated that a minimum of 300 organisms may be required in a host-seeking nymphal tick to be able to transmit infection to mice while feeding on mice. These data indicate that real-time qPCR is a reliable approach for simultaneous detection and quantification of B. burgdorferi infection in field-collected ticks and can be used for ecological and epidemiological surveillance of Lyme disease spirochetes.     

The role of medium-sized mammals as reservoirs of Borrelia burgdorferi in southern New York

The ability of raccoons (Procyon lotor), striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) and opossums (Didelphis virginiana) to serve as reservoirs of Borrelia burgdorferi, the spirochetal agent of Lyme disease, was compared with that of white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus). Twenty-eight (28) medium-sized mammals and 34 white-footed mice were captured in Westchester County, New York (USA) in summer 1986. Animals were caged over pans of water for 1 to 2 days to recover engorged tick larvae (Ixodes dammini) that detached from the hosts after feeding. With the exception of mice, numbers of engorged tick larvae recovered exceeded those counted during initial examinations of the hosts by 30% (opossums) to nearly 90% (raccoons). Newly-molted nymphal ticks derived from the engorged larvae were examined for the presence of spirochetes by darkfield microscopy. Percentage infection was 5% (n = 22) for ticks from skunks and 14% (n = 191) for ticks from raccoons. None of 24 nymphs from larvae that fed on opossums survived long enough for spirochete examination. By comparison, 40% (n = 72) of nymphs from larvae which fed on white-footed mice were infected. Of the individual hosts from which molted nymphs had fed as larvae, 67% of mice, 33% of skunks, and 55% of raccoons produced spirochete-positive ticks.     

Hepatozoon kisrae n. sp. infecting the lizard Agama stellio is transmitted by the tick Hyalomma cf. aegyptium

Hepatozoon kisrae n. sp. was found infecting a starred lizard at a site in southeastern Samaria, Palestine. These lizards were also hosts to the ixodid tick Hyalomma cf. aegyptium, which was demonstrated to be the vector of this hemogregarine. Hepatozoon and tick infections occurred in lizards within a very restricted locality; at a second site, nearby, ticks occurred without Hepatozoon infection. Micro- and macromeronts occurred mainly in the lungs, while cyst-like merogonic stages, mainly dizoic, occurred in the liver. Mature intraerythrocytic gametocytes were stout and encapsulated. Development from oocysts to sporocysts took place in the tick hemocoel, and was examined by transmission electron microscopy. Lizards were successfully infected when fed on sporocyst-infected ticks or viscera of infected lizards. Ticks become infected when fed on infected lizards; sporogony was complete when the ticks reached adult stage, over 40 days after initial attachment.     

Bird ticks in an area of the Cerrado of Minas Gerais State, southeast Brazil

In the present study the tick prevalence, mean intensity of infestation and species were recorded on birds captured between January 2009 and December 2010 in the Ecological Station Pirapitinga-ESEC from Minas Gerais State, Brazil. A total of 967 birds, from 15 families and 40 species were captured and 165 (17.1 %) individuals were parasitized by ticks. Of these 160 (97 %) belonged to the order Passeriformes. Five tick species were identified: Amblyomma longirostre (n = 274) was the most common species followed by Amblyomma parvum (n = 43), Amblyomma nodosum (n = 39), Amblyomma ovale (n = 24) and Riphicephalus sanguineus (n = 7). None of 61 unengorged larvae molted to nymph. The mean intensity of infestation was 2.7 ± 2.4 ticks per bird (448 ticks/165 birds) ranging from 1 to 10. Only 19 (11.4 %) birds were infested with one species of tick. The remaining birds were infested by two, three or four species of ticks. Also new hosts for all five ticks were recorded. Only nymphs were recorded throughout the year with two similar peaks during autumn and winter 2009 and 2010.     

Factors influencing the toxicity of salivary gland extracts of Ixodes holocyclus Neumann

A bioassay using mice was developed to compare the toxin content of extracts of salivary glands of I. holocyclus at various stages of feeding. The quantity of toxin increased rapidly from the third day of feeding. Toxin production continued and increased in ticks removed after 3–5 days on mice and held at 30°C at 92% RH for 24 h, whereas no toxin was detected in the salivary glands of ticks fed for 3 days and treated similarly. It is suggested that major physiological changes occur in the salivary glands of I. holocyclus on the third day, which once stimulated continue independently of feeding. Toxin production in ticks was not suppressed by passively immunizing mice with anti-tick toxin but was in ticks fed upon hosts with a previous experience of tick feeding.Thus, to obtain salivary glands containing high concentrations of toxin for chemical analysis, it is necessary for salivary glands to develop 5 days from the initial attachment of the tick to a host with no previous experience of tick feeding. This can be achieved by passively immunizing mice against toxin, thus enabling the tick to feed 5 days without killing the mouse or by keeping the tick for 24 h at 30°C at 92% RH following the death of the mouse on the fourth day.     

Ixodes dammini: evidence for salivary prostacyclin secretion

Pilocarpine-induced saliva of adult Ixodes dammini ticks contained abundant amounts (523 +/- 140 ng/ml, mean +/- SE, n = 14) of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, the stable degradation product of prostacyclin. This prostaglandin was identified by radioimmunoassay and reversed-phase chromatography. This activity may help tick feeding by preventing host hemostatic reactions, by increasing host blood flow at the tick feeding site, and by preventing leukocyte degranulation.     

Adaptive timing of detachment in a tick parasitizing hole-nesting birds

In non-permanent parasites with low intrinsic mobility such as ticks, dispersal is highly dependent on host movements as well as the timing of separation from the hosts. Optimal detachment behaviour is all the more crucial in nidicolous ticks as the risk of detaching in non-suitable habitat is high. In this study, we experimentally investigated the detachment behaviour of Ixodes arboricola, a nidicolous tick that primarily infests birds roosting in tree-holes. We infested great tits with I. arboricola larvae or nymphs, and submitted the birds to 2 experimental treatments, a control treatment in which birds had normal access to nest boxes and an experimental treatment, in which the birds were prevented access to their nest boxes for varying lengths of time. In the control group, most ticks detached within 5 days, whereas in the experimental group, ticks remained on the bird for as long as the bird was prevented access (up to 14 days). This prolonged attachment caused a decrease in survival and engorgement weight in nymphs, but not in larvae. The capacity of I. arboricola larvae to extend the duration of attachment in non-suitable environments with no apparent costs, may be an adaptation to unpredictable use of cavities by roosting hosts during winter, and at the same time may facilitate dispersal of the larval instars.     

Dynamics of Borrelia burgdorferi infection in nymphal Ixodes ricinus ticks during feeding

We report the sequential developmental events of Borrelia burgdorferi in histological sections of Ixodes ricinus nymphs before, during and after feeding. During the blood meal a decrease of approximately 50% in the number of infected ticks was recorded (eight out of 76, 11%) in comparison with the infection rate of unfed ticks (12 out of 56, 21%). Spirochetes were detected in tick salivary glands only after 2 days of attachment. From day 3 until drop-off, the number of infected ticks increased to 31% (15 out of 49). A quadratic logistic regression analysis showed that the variation in the number of infected ticks was significant, but only during the blood meal. The drop in the percentage of infected ticks during the first hours following attachment to the host is explained by our observation of spirochetes in the faeces of the ticks. The increase in the infection rate of replete ticks may be due to an uptake of spirochetes from the host skin at the feeding site.     

Interspecific variations in attachment sites and density assessment in femaleIxodes rubicundus (Acari: Ixodidae) on domestic and natural hosts

The attachment sites of female Karoo paralysis ticks (Ixodes rubicundus) and equations to assess tick burdens on domestic (sheep and goats) and natural (mountain reedbuck) hosts were determined. No intraspecific differences in attachment sites for Merino sheep and Angora goats could be observed, but interspecific differences were evident.Ixodes rubicundus in general attaches on the ventral aspects of the host. More than 50% of these ticks attached to the fron quarters of the body of the domestic host, and 60% to the hindquarters of the natural host. The length of Merino sheep wool had no affect on either the attachment site or number of attached ticks. In general, more ticks were found attached to the woollen than non-woollen body areas. Equations are provided which can estimate tick burdens on hosts by counting the ticks on two or three selected body areas of the host. To facilitate sampling procedures, approximate sample sizes for the various hosts needed to estimate average tick burdens have been provided. Depending on the level of precision required (with bounds on the error of estimation equal to 1, 2 or 5 ticks), the number of animals in a flock of 200 Angora goats that must be examined varied from 26 to 85.     

Host specificity of a generalist parasite: genetic evidence of sympatric host races in the seabird tick Ixodes uriae

Due to the close association between parasites and their hosts, many ‘generalist’ parasites have a high potential to become specialized on different host species. We investigated this hypothesis for a common ectoparasite of seabirds, the tick Ixodes uriae that is often found in mixed host sites. We examined patterns of neutral genetic variation between ticks collected from Black‐legged kittiwakes (Rissa tridactyla) and Atlantic puffins (Fratercula arctica) in sympatry. To control for a potential distance effect, values were compared to differences among ticks from the same host in nearby monospecific sites. As predicted, there was higher genetic differentiation between ticks from different sympatric host species than between ticks from nearby allopatric populations of the same host species. Patterns suggesting isolation by distance were found among tick populations of each host group, but no such patterns existed between tick populations of different hosts. Overall, results suggest that host‐related selection pressures have led to the specialization of I. uriae and that host race formation may be an important diversifying mechanism in parasites.     

The molecular basis of the <Emphasis Type="Italic">Amblyomma americanum</Emphasis> tick attachment phase

Towards discovery of molecular signaling cascades that trigger and/or facilitate the tick attachment and formation of its feeding lesion, suppressive subtractive hybridization, high throughput sequencing and validation of differential expression by cDNA dot blot hybridization were performed on Amblyomma americanum ticks that had attained appetence and were exposed to feeding stimuli. This approach allowed for identification of 40 genes that are up regulated before ticks begin to penetrate the host skin. Based on BLAST and secondary structure homology searches as well as motif scan analyses, provisional identification was assigned to approximately 38% (15/40) of the identified genes that have been classified into 6 groups: Ligand binding (2 insulin-like growth-factor binding, lipocalin/histamine binding), immune responsive (tumor necrosis receptor associated factor 6, Microplusin-like antimicrobial), stress response proteins (Heat shock protein [HSP] 90, HSP40, 78 kDa glucose regulated protein [GRP78]), transporter polypeptides (ABC transporter and organic anion transporter polypeptide [contains Kazal-type serine proteinase inhibitor domain]) and enzymes/regulators (extracellular matrix metaloprotease inducer, chitinase), extracellular matrix-like proteins (tropoelastin, flagelliform silk protein). Sixty-two percent (25/40) of genes that did not show similarity to known proteins are classified as orphans. BLASTN homology search against the tick EST database revealed that 50% (20/40) of candidate genes are conserved in other ticks suggesting that molecular events underlying the A. americanum tick attachment phase may be conserved in other tick species. Consistent with the general assumption that genes that are up regulated in ticks before they started to penetrate host skin represented the tick's molecular preparedness to evade host defense during the attachment phase, real time RT-PCR analyses data demonstrated that the majority of the tested genes (9/11) were highly expressed during the first 24 h of feeding. Identification of genes in this study provides the framework for future studies to elucidate molecular signaling cascades that regulate early molecular events during the tick attachment phase.     

Rhipicephalus appendiculatus: Larval feeding sites in guinea pigs actively sensitized and receiving immune serum

Histological analyses of larval Rhipicephalus appendiculatus feeding sites in naive and actively sensitized guinea pigs were made at 6, 24, 48, 72, and 96 hr post-tick attachment. As primary feedings progressed the cavity at the entrance of the ticks mouthparts into the uppermost dermis, and the surrounding cellular infiltrate (lesion) both increased. Early (6 hr) lesions were dominated by eosinophils (46% of the infiltrate), neutrophils predominated at 24 (55%) and 48 hr (68%), eosinophils again predominated at 72 hr (44%), and finally basophils were dominant at 96 hr (78%). At sites of secondary feedings in animals expressing acquired resistance, lesion size increased as tick feeding progressed and at each observation time was at least twice that observed in primary feedings. Dermal cavities at the site of entrance of the ticks mouthparts were occasional in occurrence and were reduced in size indicating altered tick feeding. Basophils were dominant at all observation times ranging from 61 to 91% of the infiltrate. The second cell type of significance was the eosinophil, ranging in abundance from 7 to 21%. Recipients of immune serum had a smaller cellular infiltrate around feeding ticks, but basophils were also dominant. Basophils appear to be the principal host cell involved in acquired resistance to tick feeding as indicated by the profound cutaneous basophil reaction that characterized the immune response to larval ticks both in actively and passively sensitized hosts. The finding of significant eosinophil accumulations at tick feeding sites of both hosts indicates that these cells may also contribute to acquired resistance.     

Physiological Age of Field-collected Female Taiga Ticks, Ixodes persulcatus (Acari: Ixodidae), and their Infection with Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato

In some studies the prevalence of tick infection (infection rate) and the intensity of infection are negatively correlated with unfed tick age (in the broad sense of this term). However, no special research has been carried out to consider the phenomenon thoroughly. The infection indices of the female taiga ticks, Ixodes persulcatus, infected with Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. were related to tick physiological age, an index that more precisely reflects tick physiological state than the time of tick collection in the field or the duration of tick survival under laboratory conditions. A novel quantitative technique of physiological age determination based on the evaluation of the ratios between sizes of the stable (scutum) and the changing (alloscutum) structures of the tick body was used. The age was estimated in accordance with the classical age-grade scale introduced by Balashov and a more fractional scale determined by the new technique. In total, 131 female ticks were examined for their infection and physiological age, 46 of which were infected with B. burgdorferi s.l. (mean infection rate 35.1%). The minimal intensity of infection was 0.4 bacterial cells per 100 fields of view whereas the maximal infection was 172 cells. There was no difference between the prevalence of infection in ticks of different physiological age. The intensity of infection obviously differed between ticks of different age groups in the scale introduced by Balashov but did not significantly differ between ticks of different age groups according to the fractional age-grade scale. The data concerning the relationships between Borrelia burgdorferi and unfed Ixodes ticks are considered.     

Manifestations of immunity in sheep repeatedly infested with Amblyomma americanum ticks

Three sheep were infested 4 times with 100 Amblyomma americanum tick pairs and kept indoors until the natural termination of the infestations. Characteristics of the tick populations that show efficiency of feeding, fertility, and offspring development, and ELISA antibodies to tick salivary gland extracts were studied at each infestation. On average, female ticks fed on tick-naive sheep detached at 12.1 +/- 0.2 (mean +/- standard error) days, weighed 492 +/- 16.8 mg, engorged 40.7 mg per day, and 35% survived to detachment during the first infestation. During the fourth infestation, they detached at 17.3 +/- 0.8 days, weighed 321 +/- 14.4 mg, engorged 18.8 mg per day on average, and 23% survived to detachment. On average, oviposition of female ticks fed on tick-naive sheep started at 11.8 +/- 0.6 days of detachment, the egg mass weighed 236 +/- 13.2 mg, 43% of the female weight turned into eggs, and 89% of the ticks that detached survived to oviposition during the first infestation. During the fourth infestation, oviposition started at 15.1 +/- 0.5 days, the eggs weighed 103 +/- 9.9 mg, 13% of the tick weight became eggs, and 67% of the ticks survived to oviposition. On average, eclosion started at 35.4 +/- 0.9 days of oviposition and 83% of the egg batches hatched in the first infestation. During the fourth infestation, eclosion started on day 34.9 +/- 0.7, and 47% of the egg batches hatched. Anti-tick resistance was expressed as an inhibition of feeding, fertility, and offspring development.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Human perception and awareness of ticks in a South Australian rural community and implications for management of Amblyomma triguttatum triguttatum

The ornate kangaroo tick, Amblyomma triguttatum triguttatum, is invasive on Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. To assess the potential for developing comprehensive management strategies for the species, we mailed 1,000 surveys to Yorke Peninsula residents to investigate community perceptions of ticks, gather information on tick-host ecology, and assess whether or not occupation and length of residence affected whether residents had seen ticks. The response rate was 32%; most respondents (63%) had not seen ticks on Yorke Peninsula. Of those who had (n = 104), 56% had seen ticks on animals, especially lizards (31%) and kangaroos (20%); 50% had seen ticks on humans. Of the 64 respondents who believed places on Yorke Peninsula had many ticks, 56% identified Innes National Park and 75% areas on southern Yorke Peninsula. The likelihood of seeing ticks was not related to occupation. Whether respondents had seen ticks was related to length of residence on Yorke Peninsula (<10 years = 23.6%, 10-30 years = 44.0%, 31-50 years = 47.6%, 51-70 years = 30.9%, 71+ years = 21.4%). The number of respondents who had seen ticks on humans suggests that tick-borne diseases could become a public health issue on Yorke Peninsula. This finding is of particular concern because A. t. triguttatum is implicated in the epidemiology of Q fever in Queensland. Finally, respondents were unaware of the responsibility for tick management, which demonstrates a need for collaboration amongst stakeholders.