A Portuguese Two Host Tick
Hyalomma m. marginatum

Dartmoor Tick Watch
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Ornate Cow Tick
Dermacentor reticulatus

 

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Criticisms

Why Dartmoor Tick Watch 2009 numbers
are probably under-estimates

  

This page needs tidying up .....

1.      Results depend on sampling i.e. the availability, weather, commitments and willingness of collectors etc.

2.      Many areas are not represented

3.      Collectors generally overlook the smallest ticks such as larvae and nymphs - this skews results. This is one reason to do a regular sampling  “drag” in different habitats:

4.      The length of the largest ticks is affected by curling under of the mouthparts in highly engorged females – but not in all highly engorged ticks

5.      The length of mating males is impossible to measure precisely

6.      Collecting results may be affected by recent weather:

7.      Dragging factors

12. Suspect most numbers for larvae are underestimates because they are difficult to count or estimate on blankets. 

13. Time of day of collecting, normally 10 am to 1 pm. Earlier – more ticks ‘up’? Also, how many climbing up/descending vegetation and not actively questing?

14. Suspect numbers for all stages are under-estimates for the reasons given above.

 

15.  RESULTS – CHARTS etc

 


 

 

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