Winter infestation of wild birds by ticks and chiggers (Acari: Ixodidae, Trombiculidae) in the Czech Republic.
In winter months during 2003-2006, wild birds were captured and examined for ticks and chiggers at two sites near Brno, Czech Republic. In total, 1,362 birds, mostly passerines, were examined. The tick Ixodes arboricola Schulze et Schlottke, 1929 was found on 47 (3%) birds of six species. Ixodes ricinus Linnaeus, 1758 was found on 11 (1%) birds of five species. Larvae of chiggers Ascoschoengastia latyshevi (Schluger 1955) were found on 13 (1%) birds of six species. I. arboricola and A. latyshevi associated with hole-nesting birds can appear on birds rather frequently even during winter months. I. ricinus occurs on birds in winter sporadically.
Department of Biology and Wildlife Disease, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Palackeho 1-3, 612 42 Brno, Czech Republic. literaki@vfu.cz
Ivan
I
Literak
Elena
E
Kocianova
Frantisek
F
Dusbabek
Jana
J
Martinu
Petr
P
Podzemny
Oldrich
O
Sychra
D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild / Q000469:parasitology*; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology*; D018153:Czech Republic / Q000453:epidemiology; D008924:Mite Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D046109:Passeriformes / Q000469:parasitology*; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D013987:Ticks / Q000145:classification; D014324:Trombiculidae / Q000145:classification