MICROHABITAT-INDEPENDENT REGIONAL DIFFERENCES IN SURVIVAL OF UNFED IXODES-SCAPULARIS NYMPHS (ACARI, IXODIDAE) IN CONNECTICUT

The effects of habitat and microclimate on survival of unfed nymphal b lack-legged ticks, Ixodes scapularis Say (=I. damnini Spielman, Cliffo rd, Piesman & Corwin), were studied under natural conditions in southc entral and northwestern Connecticut. At both coastal and inland locati ons, survival of 3 groups of 20 wild-caught questing nymphs placed in nylon mesh bags was monitored in each of 3 different habitats (field, forest canopy, and forest/field edge) during summer 1995. Simultaneous ly, soil temperature, ground-level air temperature, and relative humid ity were measured continuously within each habitat at both sites. The number of ticks surviving in each habitat was monitored weekly. Averag e daily survival rates of nymphs were relate inversely to soil tempera ture but were not related to air temperature or humidity. Overall, nym phal ticks at the inland site survived significantly longer than those at the coastal site; however, no significant differences in mortality rates were found among habitats. These results suggest that inland en vironmental conditions are suitable for lengthy survival of unfed nymp hal I. scapularis in regions where this tick is not yet abundant.