Location: European Biological Control Laboratory
Project Number: 0212-22000-030-009-S
Project Type: Non-Assistance Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Sep 1, 2020
End Date: Dec 31, 2022
Objective:
In collaboration with NIVR obtain necessary permits for travel and collection of ticks in Vietnam. Identify the proper locations for tick and parasitoid collection. Collect various stages of Asian Longhorned Tick (ALT) from different hosts and then to identify the best host and also the best host/tick combination to attract parasitoid natural enemies. Expose tick nymphs under natural conditions to collect engorged ticks for rearing of parasitoids and/or nematodes and ship to cooperators in US for HST and release for control of Asian Longhorned Tick.
Approach:
1. During the first stage of the program in collaboration with regional and local veterinarian offices in areas that the tick exists, to receive tick samples at NIVR for identification and rearing of parasitoids or nematodes.
2. In the second phase we will infest suitable hosts which are easy and inexpensive to maintain with large numbers of ticks and expose ticks under natural conditions to parasitoids. After tick nymphs are engorged, they will be collected and brought back to NIVR for parasitoid rearing.
3. We will attempt to mass rear parasitoids emerged from tick nymphs for host specificity testing and also for shipment to collaborators in US.
4. The results of all collaborative research studies will be published in scientific papers.
