Densities of Ixodes ricinus ticks ( Acari:Ixodidae ) on moorland vegetation communities in the UK

Unfed ( questing ) Ixodes ricinus ticks were collected by blanket dragging on a monthly basis from heather-dominated, Vaccinium -dominated and bracken dominated and bracken dominated vegetation communities from two different biogeographical regions of the UK, the Quantock Hills and North York Moors in the spring and summer months of 1991 and 1992. 18 sites were monitored and 1920 blanket drags were carried out. Vaccinium and Bracken sites showed high tick densities at all life stages. Significantly lower numbers of larvae and nymphs were collected on heather, while similar number of adults were collected from all three habitats. There were no significant differences between the mean numbers of ticks at any life stage between the Quantocks and North York Moors on these vegetation communities, or between mean numbers collected in 1991 and 1992.