The Ecology of Ticks of the Family Ixodidae in the Kursk Region

Ixodid ticks are temporary obligate bloodsuckers attacking at all development stages. They pose danger to humans and animals as they are carriers of various natural focal infections. The current climate change trend towards warming creates more favorable conditions for the spread and vital activity of many arthropods including ixodid ticks. This article discusses ecological features of family Ixodidae ticks in the Kursk Region. A comparative analysis of the species ratio and biotopic allocation as well as number dynamics of ixodid ticks was carried out. In the Kursk Region in 2022–2023, 2 species of ixodid ticks were recorded, namely, Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius, 1794) and Ixodes ricinus (Linnaeus, 1758). The most numerous species was D. reticulatus. The activity peak periods of the species inhabiting the Region differ. According to our observations, the first D. reticulatus activity peak begins in March followed by a decrease in summer months with the second activity peak in September. The I. ricinus activity begins in March-April depending on weather conditions and lasts until the end of October.