A Dynamic Population Model to Investigate Effects of Climate and Climate-Independent Factors on the Lifecycle of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae)

TitleA Dynamic Population Model to Investigate Effects of Climate and Climate-Independent Factors on the Lifecycle of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae)
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
Journalj Med Entomol
Volume53
Issue1
Start Page99
Date Published01/2016
AuthorsLudwig A, Ginsberg HS, Hickling GJ, Ogden NH
KeywordsAmblyomma americanum, climate change, lone star tick, modelling, tick-borne disease
Abstract

A model constructed to simulate the full lifecycle of A. americanum successfully predicted observed tick activity at the three U.S. study locations. Some differences between observed and simulated seasonality patterns were observed, however, identifying the need for research to refine some model parameters. In simulations run using temperature data for Montreal, deterministic die-out of A. americanum populations did not occur, suggesting the possibility that current climate in parts of southern Canada is suitable for survival and reproduction of this tick.

URLhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26502753
DOI10.1093/jme/tjv150