FIELD INVESTIGATIONS ON THE AMERICAN DOG TICK, DERMACENTOR-VARIABILIS, IN NORTHWEST OHIO (ACARI, IXODIDAE)

Ecological investigations on the American dog Lick, Dermacentor variab ilis, were conducted in two metroparks located in Lucas County, Ohio. Adult tick surveys were conducted in 1989 and 1990. For both years, ad ult tick activity began in late April, and adult ticks were most abund ant from early May to mid-June. Observed activity had ceased by early August, producing a unimodal pattern of activity. Sunny days with temp eratures between 24-degrees and 32-degrees-C were most conducive to ad ult tick activity, and adult ticks were most abundant on grass trails and in meadows. Using nest boxes inhabited by white-footed mice, immat ure tick surveys were conducted in 1989 and 1990 For both years, larva l abundance peaked in early May and nymphal abundance peaked in late J une or early July.