Feasibility of Controlling &lt;I&gt;Ixodes scapularis&lt;/I&gt; Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae), the Vector of Lyme Disease, by Parasitoid Augmentation

Knipling, E. F.; Steelman, C. D.

doi:10.1603/0022-2585-37.5.645

Cited by 24 publications

(21 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…A theoretically possible but most likely impractical biologically based approach to suppress I. scapularis is to mass-rear and release Ixodiphagus hookeri (Howard) (including the junior synonym Hunterellus hookeri Howard), a chalcid wasp parasitoid of ixodid ticks (Hu et al 1998, Knipling and Steelman 2000). The wasp deposits eggs in fed larvae or unfed nymphs, and following their blood-meal, the nymphs are killed by the developing wasp.…”

Section: Suppression Of I Scapularis and B Burgdorferi With A Singlmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence for Personal Protective Measures to Reduce Human Contact With Blacklegged Ticks and for Environmentally Based Control Methods to Suppress Host-Seeking Blacklegged Ticks and Reduce Infection with Lyme Disease Spirochetes in Tick Vectors and Rodent Reservoirs

2016

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In the 1980s, the blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis Say, and rodents were recognized as the principal vector and reservoir hosts of the Lyme disease spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi in the eastern United States, and deer were incriminated as principal hosts for I. scapularis adults. These realizations led to pioneering studies aiming to reduce the risk for transmission of B. burgdorferi to humans by attacking host-seeking ticks with acaricides, interrupting the enzootic transmission cycle by killing immatures infesting rodent reservoirs by means of acaricide-treated nesting material, or reducing deer abundance to suppress tick numbers. We review the progress over the past three decades in the fields of: 1) prevention of human–tick contact with repellents and permethrin-treated clothing, and 2) suppression of I. scapularis and disruption of enzootic B. burgdorferi transmission with environmentally based control methods. Personal protective measures include synthetic and natural product-based repellents that can be applied to skin and clothing, permethrin sprays for clothing and gear, and permethrin-treated clothing. A wide variety of approaches and products to suppress I. scapularis or disrupt enzootic B. burgdorferi transmission have emerged and been evaluated in field trials. Application of synthetic chemical acaricides is a robust method to suppress host-seeking I. scapularis ticks within a treated area for at least 6–8 wk. Natural product-based acaricides or entomopathogenic fungi have emerged as alternatives to kill host-seeking ticks for homeowners who are unwilling to use synthetic chemical acaricides. However, as compared with synthetic chemical acaricides, these approaches appear less robust in terms of both their killing efficacy and persistence. Use of rodent-targeted topical acaricides represents an alternative for homeowners opposed to open distribution of acaricides to the ground and vegetation on their properties. This host-targeted approach also provides the benefit of the intervention impacting the entire rodent home range. Rodent-targeted oral vaccines against B. burgdorferi and a rodent-targeted antibiotic bait have been evaluated in laboratory and field trials but are not yet commercially available. Targeting of deer—via deer reduction or treatment of deer with topical acaricides—can provide area-wide suppression of host-seeking I. scapularis. These two deer-targeted approaches combine great potential for protection that impacts the entire landscape with severe problems relating to public acceptance or implementation logistics. Integrated use of two or more methods has unfortunately been evaluated in very few published studies, but additional field evaluations of integrated tick and pathogen strategies are underway.

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Section: Suppression Of I Scapularis and B Burgdorferi With A Singlmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evidence for Personal Protective Measures to Reduce Human Contact With Blacklegged Ticks and for Environmentally Based Control Methods to Suppress Host-Seeking Blacklegged Ticks and Reduce Infection with Lyme Disease Spirochetes in Tick Vectors and Rodent Reservoirs

2016

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“…1928; Walter 1980; Mwangi et al. 1997; Knipling and Steelman 2000). Besides, there are still considerable gaps of knowledge about the biology of I. hookeri , and the existing data were mostly obtained in Kenya and the United States.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although this wasp has been considered for the biological control of ticks for approximately 100 years, its efficacy is still debated (e.g. Larousse et al 1928;Walter 1980;Mwangi et al 1997;Knipling and Steelman 2000). Besides, there are still considerable gaps of knowledge about the biology of I. hookeri, and the existing data were mostly obtained in Kenya and the United States.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A hidden beneficial: biology of the tick-wasp Ixodiphagus hookeri in Germany

Collatz

Selzer

Fuhrmann

et al. 2011

Journal of Applied Entomology

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The parasitic wasp Ixodiphagus hookeri parasitizes hard ticks and is therefore considered as a potential candidate for biological control of ticks. However, there are still considerable gaps of knowledge about the biology of I. hookeri, especially for European populations. Thus, the present study was performed to assess important life‐history parameters of the parasitoid in Germany. Field studies accomplished in three successive years revealed that unfed Ixodes ricinus nymphs are infested by the parasitoid at a low but constant rate of 1.9–3.8% and that adult wasps are present only during a short period in late summer. The mean developmental time of wasps in I. ricinus nymphs ranged from 28 to 70 days under constant laboratory conditions and was prolonged in the second half of the year. Bioassays on parasitization and host preference behaviour showed that unfed nymphs of the host species I. ricinus are significantly preferred in experiments, in which unfed and engorged larvae as well as fully engorged nymphs were offered as alternatives. The marsh tick Dermacentor reticulatus was not accepted as an alternative host. Our data show that the investigated I. hookeri populations differ markedly from populations in other regions of the world in many aspects. The adaptation of different strains to local conditions explains the limited success of imported strains in earlier biological control attempts and highlights the importance of doing research to enhance the control potential of native strains.

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“…Several authors have reviewed specific groups of natural enemies of ticks, including pathogens (Lipa, 1971 ;Hoogstraal, 1977 ;Chandler et al 2000), nematodes (Samish, Alekseev & Glazer, 2000 a, b;, parasitoids (Cole, 1965 ;Trjapitzin, 1985 ;Davis, 1986 ;Hu, Hyland & Oliver, 1998 ;Knipling & Steelman, 2000), and predators (Barre et al 1991 ;Mwangi, Newson & Kaaya, 1991 b ;Samish & Alexseev, 2001).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Biological control of ticks

Samish¹,

2004

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Ticks have numerous natural enemies, but only a few species have been evaluated as tick biocontrol agents (BCAs). Some laboratory results suggest that several bacteria are pathogenic to ticks, but their mode of action and their potential value as biocontrol agents remain to be determined. The most promising entomopathogenic fungi appear to be Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, strains of which are already commercially available for the control of some pests. Development of effective formulations is critical for tick management. Entomopathogenic nematodes that are pathogenic to ticks can potentially control ticks, but improved formulations and selection of novel nematode strains are needed. Parasitoid wasps of the genus Ixodiphagus do not typically control ticks under natural conditions, but inundative releases show potential value. Most predators of ticks are generalists, with a limited potential for tick management (one possible exception is oxpeckers in Africa). Biological control is likely to play a substantial role in future IPM programmes for ticks because of the diversity of taxa that show high potential as tick BCAs. Considerable research is required to select appropriate strains, develop them as BCAs, establish their effectiveness, and devise production strategies to bring them to practical use.

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Feasibility of Controlling <I>Ixodes scapularis</I> Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae), the Vector of Lyme Disease, by Parasitoid Augmentation

Cited by 24 publications

References 18 publications

Evidence for Personal Protective Measures to Reduce Human Contact With Blacklegged Ticks and for Environmentally Based Control Methods to Suppress Host-Seeking Blacklegged Ticks and Reduce Infection with Lyme Disease Spirochetes in Tick Vectors and Rodent Reservoirs

Evidence for Personal Protective Measures to Reduce Human Contact With Blacklegged Ticks and for Environmentally Based Control Methods to Suppress Host-Seeking Blacklegged Ticks and Reduce Infection with Lyme Disease Spirochetes in Tick Vectors and Rodent Reservoirs

A hidden beneficial: biology of the tick-wasp Ixodiphagus hookeri in Germany

Biological control of ticks

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