By Susan Collins-Smith
Scientists at Mississippi State University are on the lookout for a new invasive species of tick, and they want Mississippians to know their help is crucial in detecting the pest.
The Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis, has been confirmed in neighboring Arkansas, Alabama and Tennessee, and more than 20 other states. They were first discovered in New Jersey in 2017 where they infested a herd of sheep.
“As of August 21, there have been zero confirmed reports of the Asian longhorned tick in Mississippi,” said Santos Portugal, an entomologist with the MSU Extension Service. “That doesn’t necessarily mean that they aren’t here, only that their presence has not yet been confirmed. It has been collected in neighboring states but not yet near the Mississippi border.”
The Asian longhorned tick is a major pest of livestock, but they feed on all types of animals, including birds, wildlife and pets, and even people. The female’s ability to reproduce rapidly on its own without mating -- up to 2,000 eggs at a time -- means one animal, person or area can be infested with hundreds or thousands of ticks quickly.
Source : msstate.edu