Development of a Simple Trap That Captures Ticks on Their Dorsal Surface

• Published in: Journal of medical entomology 2022-05, Vol.59 (3), p.969
• Main Authors: Yans, Matthew W, Branca, Alyssa S, Hahn, Noel G, Crawley, Sydney E, Figurskey, Anastasia C, Hobson, Kenneth R, Banfield, Michael G, Borden, John H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Control; Equipment and supplies; Health aspects; Insect traps; Methods; Sentinel health events; Ticks
• ISSN: 0022-2585
• DOI: 10.1093/ime/tiab233

We tested two versions of a trap that captures climbing ticks on their dorsum. A prototype based on a decades old model had three components, a truncated pyramidal base with steep sloping walls, downward facing sticky-tape extending beyond and spanning the boundary of the flat upper surface, on which ticks become dorsally immobilized, and a reservoir for gaseous C[O.sub.2] emission from dry ice that rests on the flat upper surface. A preoperational trap was made of thermoformed plastic and differed from the prototype by its circular structure, a central depression suitable for future housing of a biotic C[O.sub.2] generator and supplemental volatile lures and a transparent sticky ceiling that enables ticks to exhibit a phototactic response and allows users to see captured ticks without disturbing the traps. Field testing of the prototype in Florida and both trap types in Oklahoma and North Carolina achieved high catches of lone star ticks, Amblyomma americanum (L.) (Acari: Ixodidae), e.g. mean catches of >70 ticks (adults plus nymphs) in 4 h in both the prototype and preoperational traps in North Carolina, and significantly higher yields of ticks than on dry ice baited 1 [m.sup.2] white sheets. Key words: tick, Acari, Amblyomma americanum, trapping, surveillance