Biological and morphological features of ixode ticks of the western region of Ukraine

Ticks of the family Ixodidae are widespread in Central Europe, belong to the group of three-host ticks and play an important role in agriculture, among domestic animals and in the epidemiological well-being of humans. The study of ticks D. reticulatus and I. ricinus was carried out in Khmelnytsky, Chernivtsi, Vinnytsia and Ternopil regions, in 12 cities and eight districts. In addition, monitoring was carried out in the administrative centers of the regions at certain points. During three years (2018–2020) 3768 Ixodid ticks were collected: 2784 D. reticulatus (1719 females, 886 males, 142 larvae, 37 nymphs) and 984 I. ricinus (508 females, 367 males, 93 larvae, 16 nymphs), 4830 animals were examined in Khmelnytsky, Chernivtsi, Vinnytsia and Ternopil regions. The life cycle of I. ricinus ticks usually took three years. Their greatest peak, as a rule, occurred in spring and early summer, with the second active period in autumn in some districts of Khmelnytsky and Ternopil regions during all three years. During the study of D. reticulatus ticks observed the emergence of abundant populations of ticks in open, non-urban areas, which were found on the outskirts of villages, in abandoned areas, pastures and forests. The life cycle of ticks was one or two years, depending on environmental conditions. Ticks of this species were more common in cold areas with sufficient relative humidity. The main period of activity of adults was spring, with a secondary peak in autumn, but the dynamics varied significantly depending on the region. Morphological abnormalities in ticks were detected during the research.