The Ecology and Behavior of the Lone Star Tick (Acarina: Ixodidae) II. Activity and survival in different ecological habitats1

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Abstract
The average longevity of caged adults of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (L.), was less than 22 days in a meadow habitat, approximately 35 days in persimmon and upland oak-hickory and more than 65 days in bottomland oak-hickory. Temperature and humidity measurements in the 4 habitats indicated very high day temperatures and low humidities in the meadow with considerable cooling and a rise in relative humidity during the night. Based on survivorship curves, this habitat was considered to be the most undesirable as tick habitat. Bottomland oak-hickory habitat generally showed the lowest day temperatures and highest hwmidities, and on a daily and seasonal basis this habitat showed less variability among the parameters measured. Data collected indicate that high mid-summer temperatures influence the behavior of adult ticks in all habitat types. We believe that this condition results in shorter longevity in certain habitats. As a behavioral response to rising temperatures during mid- and late July, adults migrate down vegetation to the soil and/or duff. They perhaps extend their longevity by this close association with the soil and/or duff.

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