Parasitoid wasps as a potential means of control of the cattle fever tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus

Authors: ABALOS, ABBEY - University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley; Maestas, Lauren; MAESTAS MAYS, SARAH - University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/30/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Ticks are vectors of pathogens affecting both humans and other animals. Cattle fever ticks represent a management challenge in south Texas due to difficulties in treating wildlife hosts with traditional control methods. New control methods are being studied to help mitigate this problem. Parasitoid wasps have been used as a form of biological control for insect pests of crops and livestock. Efforts are underway to determine if this biological control method can aid in the control of cattle fever ticks in Texas.The objective of this research is to determine if cattle fever ticks are infested with parasitoids and if those parasitoids can be used as biological control agents for cattle fever ticks in the U.S. We are targeting ticks collected from Vietnam, part of the native range of the southern cattle fever tick (Rhipicephalus microplus). We hope to identify parasitoids that have coevolved with southern cattle fever ticks to maximize the probability that these parasitoids will recognize and selectively parasitize cattle fever ticks. Furthermore, U.S. native ticks will also be screened to identify native US parasitoids that may have potential as biological control agents of cattle fever ticks. DNA will be extracted from tick samples and screened for the presence of parasitoid DNA using molecular testing technologies. These tests will be used to identify detected parasitoids to species. Little is known about parasitoids infesting ticks within the native range of the southern cattle fever tick. Recent detection by collaborators of a potentially novel parasitoid species in ticks from Vietnam demonstrates the importance of surveillance and identification of species that may contribute to biocontrol of a significant livestock pest with near-global distribution.

Technical Abstract: Ticks are vectors of pathogens affecting both humans and other animals. Cattle fever ticks epresent a management challenge within the south Texas permanent quarantine zone due to difficulties in treating wildlife hosts with traditional control methods. New control methods are being studied to help mitigate this problem. Parasitoid wasps have been used as a form of biological control for insect pests of crops and livestock. Efforts are underway to determine if this biological control method can aid in the control of cattle fever ticks. The objective of this research is to screen ticks for the presence of parasitoids that may have potential for use as biological control agents for cattle fever ticks in the U.S. We are targeting ticks collected from Vietnam, part of the native range of the southern cattle fever tick (Rhipicephalus microplus). We hope to identify parasitoids that have coevolved with southern cattle fever ticks to maximize the probability that these parasitoids will recognize and selectively parasitize cattle fever ticks. Furthermore, U.S. native ticks will also be screened to identify native parasitoids that may have potential as biological control agents of cattle fever ticks. DNA will be extracted from tick samples and screened for the presence of parasitoid DNA using real-time PCR. Sequencing will be used to identify detected parasitoids to species. Little is known about parasitoids infesting ticks within the native range of the southern cattle fever tick. Recent detection by collaborators of a potentially novel parasitoid species in ticks from Vietnam demonstrates the importance of surveillance and identification of species that may contribute to biocontrol of a significant livestock pest with near-global distribution.