Seasonal Abundance and Hosts of Ixodes Dammini(Acari: Ixodidae) and Other Ixodid Ticks from an Endemic Lyme Disease Focus in New Jersey, USA

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Abstract
Seasonality and host associations of Ixodes dammini and other ixodid ticks were evaluated within an endemic Lyme disease focus in Monmouth County, New Jersey, USA. Ixodes dammini was the least host-specific tick. Peromyscus leucopus was the principal host of larvae, while nymphs preferred Sciurus carolinensis and Tamias striatus . Larval populations peaked August and September, and nymphs were present from May to July. Adult /. I. dammini were readily collected from large mammals, including humans, and exhibited spring and fall population peaks. Amblyomma americanum infested many of the same hosts as I. dammini . No fall activity of A. americanum adults was observed. However, populations of all stages of A. americanum , although less abundant, coincided with those of I. dammini . All stages of A. americanum were found on humans. The relationship of both tick species to Lyme disease occurrence is discussed.