Some new findings on the endophilic vector tick Ixodes hexagonus in Germany.

The authors of the present study received a number of hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from different regions of Germany in 2018-2021. In most cases, the ticks were removed from pet dogs or cats. In one case, engorged and detached ticks were found in a house, and it was unclear how they had gained entrance. Morphological examination revealed that all the specimens (n = 18, larvae, nymphs, and adults) were hedgehog ticks, Ixodes hexagonus. Morphological identification for two larvae was confirmed by 16S rRNA gene amplification. These two larvae were also examined for tick-borne encephalitis virus RNA, but were found to be negative. In a previous, unreported study by one of the authors, which commenced in the late 1980s, it was observed that unfed larvae of I. hexagonus were extremely long-lived. They were still alive 5 years after the engorged female had detached from the host when maintained at a moderate temperature under controlled not too warm laboratory conditions (constant 15 °C, 91% relative humidity, and darkness).

Ticks on the turf: investigating the presence of ixodid ticks on and around football fields in Germany.

Ixodes ricinus is the most abundant tick species and an important vector of pathogens in Germany and in large parts of Europe. A few other ixodid tick species, e.g., Dermacentor reticulatus, may also be of eco-epidemiological relevance. As ticks are not only found in natural but also in suburban areas (parks, gardens), the present study investigated whether ticks occur on and near football grounds thus posing a potential risk to players and visitors. Thirty-two football grounds from all 16 German federal states were selected, mainly situated adjacent to a green area (forest, park). Ticks were collected by the conventional flagging method in spring 2018, and nymphs and adults were counted and morphologically determined. Altogether 807 nymphal and adult ticks were collected from 29 football grounds: 714 I. ricinus, 64 Ixodes inopinatus, 2 Ixodes frontalis, 24 Ixodes sp. ticks, and 3 D. reticulatus. Ixodes inopinatus was found in 13 out of 16 German states. Three ticks were even found on the turf of two football fields. It can be concluded that ticks occur quite frequently and sometimes in high abundance near football grounds situated close or adjacent to a forest or a park.