Ecology of Ixodes ricinus immatures on Apodemus agrarius (Muridae) in the lowland ecosystems conditions.

Ecology of Ixodes ricinus collected on black-striped field mouse (Apodemus agrarius) was studied in the lowland ecosystems. During the study period (1986-1991), 1483 specimens of A. agrarius were examined in southern Slovakia and 1319 larvae and nymphs were collected from hosts. The seasonal pattern--bimodal (peak in spring and autumn)--was distinct for larvae. Both prevalence and abundance of tick infestation of A. agrarius by nymphs were low. Prevailing material of nymphs was collected from May (pooled data from all years) on mature hosts. There were significantly higher infestation in mature males than in females as well as significantly higher tick infestation of mature hosts than immature ones. Higher abundance of tick infestation of A. agrarius in fields is probably influenced by great spatial mobility of hosts and by import of ticks from landscape verdure.