Migratory birds infestation with ticks in Lithuania in different years

Abstract

Birds are capable of transporting ticks over large distances and are increasingly considered important in the global dispersal of tick-borne pathogens. To define the role of migrating birds as host and disseminators of ticks in Lithuania were analysed immature stage of ticks feeding on different birds’ species. During August-September of 2005 and 2008 migrating birds were captured at Ventes Ragas ornithological station in Lithuania. In 2005 from 41 birds representing 15 species were collected 56 immature stages of Ixodes ricinus ticks. In 2008 were investigated 36 birds of 14 species, and a total of 60 immature stages of Ixodes ricinus ticks were collected. The bird species most infested by I. ricinus in 2008 was Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus scirpaceus) and Trush Nightingale (Luscinia luscinia). The total birds infestation rate in 2008 was higher (1,7 per bird) than in 2005 (1,3 ticks per bird). The infestation with I. ricinus nymphs was more frequent, than with larvae. The results of the study suggested that A. scirpaceus and T. pilaris could be determined as important host and disseminators of I. ricinus ticks in Lithuania.