Synchrony of Cliff Swallow Nesting and Development of the Tick, Ixodes baergi

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Abstract
In studies of a large colony of cliff swallows (Hirundo pyrrhonota) in northwest Arkansas [USA], the life history of the tick Ixodes baergi was found to be synchronous with nesting activities of the birds. The swallows arrive in mid- to late April and begin nesting mid-May. Adult swallows roost on bluffs or in nests during nest construction and egg laying. Nests are completed by the last week in May and egg laying begins immediately. By mid-May, most larval ticks leave the crevice in which they hatched and move up the bluff. For their first engorgement, larvae attach to adult swallows that are incubating eggs or to newly hatched swallows. After engorging, the larvae leave the birds. For the second feeding, the nymphs attach to nestling swallows. The nymphs leave their hosts after feeding and molt to adulthood on the outside of the swallow nest. The third and last engorgement occurs during the first 2 weeks of July. The ticks again move to the outside of the nests and remain on the rough surface for a short period. During that time, engorged female ticks mate and move toward the base of the bluff to deposit their eggs in crevices of the bluff. About the same time, nestlings fledge and the swallows gather from several large colonies for fall migration. Although the tick eggs hatch in about 40 days, larvae remain in crevices until the following May. Ticks are probably transferred from site to site through intercolonial mixing of birds carrying ticks, especially early in the season.

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