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11 February 2025 An investigation of Haemaphysalis longicornis (Ixodida: Ixodidae) habitat and pathogen overlap with resident tick species in Southeastern Pennsylvania forests
Payton M. Phillips, Jackson Fahey, Jocelyn E. Behm
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Abstract

The long-horned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann (Ixodida: Ixodidae) was recently introduced to the United States from its native range in Asia. Although H. longicornis transmits numerous disease-causing pathogens in its native range, it is unclear to what extent H. longicornis will act as a disease vector in the United States. The ability of H. longicornis to acquire pathogens likely depends on overlap with resident tick species in both habitat and pathogens transmitted within its introduced range.To assess the potential overlap in habitat and pathogens between invasive H. longicornis and resident tick species, we field-collected ticks across southeastern Pennsylvania and tested them for pathogens. We then contextualized the risk of pathogen transmission to and by H. longicornis at sites where it overlaps with the current vector species using a network of vectored pathogens. None of the collected H. longicornis individuals tested positive for any pathogens. However, we found significant overlap in habitat use among H. longicornis and resident tick nymphs, as well as several overlaps in the pathogens vectored by resident ticks and those carried by H. longicornis in Asia. These findings indicate a high but yet-to-be-realized potential for H. longicornis to acquire North American tick-borne pathogens.

Payton M. Phillips, Jackson Fahey, and Jocelyn E. Behm "An investigation of Haemaphysalis longicornis (Ixodida: Ixodidae) habitat and pathogen overlap with resident tick species in Southeastern Pennsylvania forests," Journal of Medical Entomology 62(2), 465-470, (11 February 2025). https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjae159
Received: 28 May 2024; Accepted: 19 December 2024; Published: 11 February 2025
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KEYWORDS
Asian longhorned tick
habitat associations
pathogen overlap
ticks
vector-borne disease
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