New records of the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis (Acari : Ixodidae) in Minnesota

The Minnesota distribution of the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, was studied during 1998 and 1999. The majority of tick collecting was done by g rouse hunters, who sent in specimens collected during the fall of 1998 and 1999. I. scapularis specimens were received from 17 counties, including eig ht counties in northern and central Minnesota that previously had no report s oft scapularis. This brings the number of Minnesota counties with reporte d populations of I. scapularis to 30, mostly in the east-central, central, and northern parts of the state.