2020 Ixodes Outreach Project Report
Community Contributions
One of our projects at the IOP is to create a story map that documents where ticks are being found. Thanks to our community contributors in 2020 we collected 152 ticks from Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan. Ticks were primarily Ixodes scapularis and Dermacentor variabilis adults, but we did receive three I. scapularis nymphs from Minnesota.
Eventually, tick submissions will be "pinned" to our story map so the community can see geographically where these ticks were found. You can check out the 2018/2019 tick data on our story map here.
These ticks are currently chilling at a frosty -80 degrees Celsius. But, during the next several months our team of seven undergraduate researchers will be using them in several projects. Some ticks will be tested for the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi, the bacteria responsible for Lyme disease, while others may be used in tests designed to investigate the variety of microorganisms inside the tick gut. Studying the array of microorganisms inside the gut of the tick may help scientists better understand what competition or advantages await B. burgdorferi bacteria after being ingested during a bloodmeal. It may also give insight into the risk of co-infection in humans and domestic animals as the result of a tick bite. Some ticks may also be used for practicing and refining lab techniques or for other teaching purposes.
No matter how these ticks are ultimately used, it is all possible due to the efforts of our community contributors, so hats off to you all!
With our thanks,
If you would like to submit tick specimens please seal your tick(s) in a Ziploc style baggie and mail them to:
Ixodes Outreach Project
University of Minnesota Duluth
Department of Biomedical Sciences/SMed 332
1035 University Drive
Duluth, MN 55812
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