Medical Entomology

12 December 2006

In 2006, 150 blacklegged tick samples were submitted to the ISU medical entomology laboratory from various counties around the state. The pie charts on the map above indicate the proportion of the three major tick species sent in from each county. Brown denotes the black-legged tick (Ixodes scapularis), yellow-the dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis) and blue-the lonestar tick (Amblyomma americanum). The total number of ticks submitted from each county is indicated by the size of the pie chart. Black-legged ticks that are submitted are tested for the presence of the bacterium that causes Lyme disease (Borrelia burgdorferi). B. burgdorferi positive samples were identified in 9 counties (shown in grey) in 2006. Many thanks to those of you who have contributed specimens. This very important project is supported by the Iowa Department of Public Health. Tick testing takes place in the University Hygienic Lab (Iowa City, IA). Details for submitting specimens can be found through this link.