Tick Collections
We used two collection strategies to obtain I. scapularis adults from across the eastern half of the U.S. First, we established a network of collaborators among research institutions in the U.S. Collaborators shipped previously identified samples from past collection seasons (2010-2020) stored in 70% ethanol to the University of Georgia (UGA) Environmental Health Science (EHS) DNA laboratory for sequencing. These tick samples were collected from either drag sampling or animal hosts, with hunter-harvested white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus ) transported to check stations or local meat processors being the most common type of animal host collection. For the second collection strategy, we implemented a community science approach to cover areas that did not have large research collection efforts established. Specifically, New England K9 Search and Rescue team, the TNC Nashua Grasslands, and other non-associated volunteers were emailed requests to submit ticks, while the Quality Deer Management Association (now National Deer Alliance) published a request in their newsletter to assist us through this community science effort. All community scientists who expressed interest in the project were mailed a tick collection kit, which included a data sheet, tweezers, tubes with 70% ethanol, a permanent marker, and a pre-paid return envelope. Community scientists were instructed to collect all ticks encountered from game, humans, and dogs during the 2020-2021 hunting seasons. These collection kits were returned to UGA for morphological identification using standard keys (Durden & Keirans, 1996; Keirans & Litwak, 1989). Only flat I. scapularis adults that were not significantly damaged and had a listed source location were used in this study. No samples that had been attached to humans were accepted (unattached ticks crawling on humans were accepted).