Tracking ticks: 100+ years of monitoring cattle fever tick infestations in Texas

Authors: Lohmeyer, Kimberly - Kim; May, Melinda

Submitted to: Livestock Insect Worker's Conference Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/18/2018
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: As infestations of cattle fever ticks continue to increase in South Texas, efforts are being made to streamline the way tick infestation data are collected from the field. Over the last 100+ years, cattle fever tick infestation records have been collected and archived in several different methods ranging from handwritten notes and hand drawn maps on scrap pieces of paper, to government issued forms, to the more recent development of app based technology. The “Tick Collector Web Map” app has been developed through a collaborative effort between APHIS and ARS. This app will allow for instant data interfacing and will allow cattle fever tick eradication program employees to enter tick infestation data in the field in real time. Infestations data such as pasture gate coordinates, tick host species, tick numbers, and pasture perimeters can be easily entered in the field. Additional information such as the location of tick control devices or the amounts of baits consumed by wildlife can also be entered. Collected data can then be utilized by researchers and program personnel to develop maps and/or make updates and changes in treatment schedules. An overview of past methods of data collection will be presented along with highlights of the capabilities of the Tick Collector Web Map app.

Technical Abstract: With infestations of cattle fever ticks outside the permanent quarantine zone increasing in South Texas, efforts are being made to streamline the way fever tick infestation data are collected from the field. Over the last 100+ years, cattle fever tick infestation records have been collected and managed in a variety of ways from handwritten notes and hand drawn maps on scrap pieces of paper, to government issued forms called G Cards, to the more recent development of app based technology. The “Tick Collector Web Map” app has been developed through a joint effort between APHIS and ARS. This app will allow for instant data interfacing and will allow APHIS employees to enter tick infestation data in the field in real time, utilizing GPS satellites and products developed by ESRI. Data such as pasture gate coordinates, host species, tick numbers, and pasture perimeters can be entered on site. Additional information that can be utilized by the eradication program such as the location of wildlife treatment devices or the amounts of baits consumed by wildlife can also be entered. The application will also have the capability for PC interface. Entered data can then be utilized by researchers and eradication program staff to develop maps, predictive indicators, and/or make updates and changes in treatment regimens. An overview of past methods of data collection will be presented along with highlights of the capabilities of the Tick Collector Web Map app.