title: New Records of Ixodes affinis (Acari: Ixodidae) Parasitizing Avian Hosts in Southeastern Virginia.
abstract: Ixodes affinis Neumann (Acari: Ixodidae) is a hard-bodied tick species distributed throughout much of the southeastern United States. Although I. affinis does not parasitize humans, it is a competent vector of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, the causative-agent of Lyme disease, and thus contributes to the enzootic maintenance of this pathogen. This study presents evidence of I. affinis parasitizing five new host passerine species. During 2012-2014, 1,888 birds were captured and examined for ticks, and 18 immature I. affinis were collected from 12 birds-six Carolina Wrens (Thyrothorus ludovicianus); two Brown Thrashers (Toxostoma rufum); and one American Robin (Turdus migratorius), Eastern Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus), Northern Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis), and White-throated Sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis). Of 15 larvae and 3 nymphs collected, one nymph tested positive for B. burgdorferi DNA. I. affinis was found co-feeding on birds with immature Amblyomma americanum (L.), Ixodes brunneus Koch, Ixodes dentatus Marx, Ixodes scapularis Say, and Haemaphysalis leporispalustris Packard. The results of this research provide a better understanding of I. affinis hosts and identify avian taxa that may play a role in the maintenance and dispersal of this tick species.
authors.forename: Erin L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Heller
authors.forename: Chelsea L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Wright
authors.forename: Robyn M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Nadolny
authors.forename: Wayne L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Hynes
authors.forename: Holly D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Gaff
authors.forename: Eric L
authors.initials: EL
authors.lastname: Walters
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006790:Host-Parasite Interactions; D018884:Ixodes / Q000502:physiology*; D046109:Passeriformes / Q000469:parasitology*; D014768:Virginia