Mp. Luttrell et al., AVIAN TICK PARALYSIS CAUSED BY IXODES BRUNNEUS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED-STATES, Journal of wildlife diseases, 32(1), 1996, pp. 133-136
Between 1988 and 1994, 16 definitive and 26 presumptive cases of tick
paralysis were diagnosed in 10 species of birds from five southeastern
states in the USA. All birds had engorged adult female Ixodes brunneu
s ticks on the head region and were partially paralyzed or dead. Cases
occurred in the winter and early spring months, and most birds were p
asserines found in private yards or near feeders. All stages of I. bru
nneus feed exclusively on birds, and this species previously has been
associated with avian tick paralysis. Little is known concerning the l
ife cycle of this ixodid tick and its impact on wild bird populations.