Potential effects of animal activity on the spatial distribution of Ixodesscapularis and Amblyomma americanum (Acari : Ixodidae)

The prevalence of host-seeking ticks along animal trails has been taken for granted. In 1996 and 1997, we evaluated the effects of active animal trail s on the spatial distribution of Ixodes scapularis Say and Amblyomma americ anum (L.) under field conditions by comparing numbers of all postembryonic stages of both species collected along the center of and adjacent to known white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann), trails with numbers collected along randomly placed transects. Because of the difficulty in qu antifying animal activity and replicating a consistent clustering response along deer trails, animal activity was artificially increased by establishi ng and maintaining '4-poster' bait stations with corresponding control plot s during 1998-2000. Sampling was performed three times during the peak acti vity period of each active stage of both species in forested habitats of ce ntral New Jersey, USA. Tick distribution varied significantly among habitat s, both between years and for each active stage. Sampling along deer trails and around 4-posters failed to demonstrate a consistent association betwee n increased host activity and higher tick densities, suggesting that tick d istribution patterns may be influenced by factors other than or in addition to host activity.