title: Density-dependent factors regulating feeding success of Ixodes scapularis larvae (Acari: Ixodidae).
abstract: We studied the effects of different parasite and host densities on the feeding success of larval Ixodes scapularis ticks upon white-footed mice Peromyscus leucopus. Mice were infested daily with 10, 25, 50, or 100 larvae and kept individually or in groups of 2 and 3 to simulate co-nesting in the field. Engorgement weight and molting success of replete larvae did not change during more than 3 wk of continuous infestation, but overall larval feeding success decreased from 24% to 12% with increased infestation density. Grooming was observed in response to unattached, crawling larvae, and grooming of unfed ticks increased with infestation density. Nearly all larvae completed engorgement once attached, although a few were groomed accidentally along with unattached ticks. Co-nesting mice fed 2-3 times fewer ticks than did solitary mice because of increased frequency of self-grooming in the presence of nest-mates, but differences between groups of 2 or 3 mice were not significant. Thus, increased mouse density may reduce the density of the tick population at first, but further increase in the number of co-nesting mice does not affect the feeding success of larval I. scapularis and increased mouse density will increase tick density.
authors.affiliation: Yale University, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8034, USA.
authors.forename: M L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Levin
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Fish
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia / Q000662:veterinary; D000818:Animals; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D006120:Grooming; D007103:Immobilization; D018884:Ixodes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D018978:Molting; D010542:Peromyscus / Q000469:parasitology*; D011817:Rabbits; D012376:Rodent Diseases / Q000469:parasitology*; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*