SEASON OF DETACHMENT OF WINTER TICKS (DERMACENTOR ALBIPICTUS) FROM SOUTHERN ONTARIO MOOSE (ALCES ALCES)

• Main Authors: Addison, Ed, McLaughlin, R.F., Fraser, D.J.H.
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Lakehead University 2021
• Subjects: Dermacentor albipictus; Winter Tick; Detachment; Moose; Alces alces
• Online Access: http://alcesjournal.org/index.php/alces/article/view/293

Detachment of engorged female winter ticks (Dermacentor albipictus) from captive moose (Alces alces) was studied in Ontario during March and April, 1981–1984. The earliest detached engorged female was observed on 15 March, and for 9 of 15 moose, on 25–26 March. Detachment increased in early to mid-April with most adult ticks remaining on captive moose in late April. Few ticks were observed on wild cow moose by mid- to late May, 1981–1984, and detachment was considered complete in late May. More ticks dropped from moose at night than during daylight hours. The primary period of detachment was considered mid-April to mid-May during all 4 years of the study. Prediction of relative infestation the following autumn may be possible by considering the drop-off time and ground conditions that influence survival of gravid adult female ticks.