Dataset Information

First detection of Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Ixodes ricinus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from multiple locations in Hungary.

ABSTRACT: The parasitoid wasp, Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), is the natural enemy of a wide range of hard and soft tick species. While these encyrtid wasps are supposed to be distributed worldwide, only a few studies report on their actual distribution around the globe. Within a shotgun sequencing-based metagenome analysis, the occurrence of I. hookeri was screened at multiple Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) tick sampling points in Hungary to contribute to the assessment of the distribution patterns of the parasitoid wasps in Central Europe. To our knowledge, the first report of the species in Hungary and the description of the southernmost I. hookeri associated geoposition in Central Europe took place within our study. I. hookeri infested I. ricinus nymphs were detected at five sampling points in Hungary. The results show that the exact distribution range of I. hookeri is still barely studied. At the same time, unprecedented public health issues being brought about by climate change might require steps toward the exploitation of the tick biocontrol potential and as an ecological bioindicator role of the parasitoid wasp in the future.

SUBMITTER: Toth AG

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9884279 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

First detection of Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Ixodes ricinus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from multiple locations in Hungary.

Tóth Adrienn Gréta AG Farkas Róbert R Gyurkovszky Mónika M Krikó Eszter E Solymosi Norbert N

Scientific reports 20230128 1

The parasitoid wasp, Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), is the natural enemy of a wide range of hard and soft tick species. While these encyrtid wasps are supposed to be distributed worldwide, only a few studies report on their actual distribution around the globe. Within a shotgun sequencing-based metagenome analysis, the occurrence of I. hookeri was screened at multiple Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) tick sampling points in Hungary to contribute to the assessment of the distribut ...[more]

PMID: 36709348

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Project description:This study addresses the modifications that future climate conditions could impose on the transmission cycles of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. by the tick Ixodes ricinus in Europe. Tracking the distribution of foci of a zoonotic agent transmitted by vectors as climate change shapes its spatial niche is necessary to issue self-protection measures for the human population. We modeled the current distribution of the tick and its predicted contact rates with 18 species of vertebrates known to act as reservoirs of the pathogen. We approached an innovative way for estimating the possibility of permanent foci of Borrelia afzelii or Borrelia garinii tracking separately the expected spatial overlap among ticks and reservoirs for these pathogens in Europe. Environmental traits were obtained from MODIS satellite images for the years 2002-2017 (baseline) and projected on scenarios for the years 2030 and 2050. The ratio between MODIS baseline/current interpolated climatologies (WorldClim), and the ratio between MODIS-projected year 2050 with five climate change scenarios for that year (WorldClim) revealed no significant differences, meaning that projections from MODIS are reliable. Models predict that contact rates between the tick and reservoirs of either B. garinii or B. afzelii are spatially different because those have different habitats overlap. This is expected to promote different distribution patterns because of the different responses of both groups of reservoirs to environmental variables. Models for 2030 predict an increase in latitude, mainly in the circulation of B. garinii, with large areas of expected permanent contact between vector and reservoirs in Nordic countries and central Europe. However, climate projections for the year 2050 predict an unexpected scenario of contact disruption. Though large areas in Europe would be suitable for circulation of the pathogens, the predicted lack of niche overlap among ticks and reservoirs could promote a decrease in permanent foci. This development represents a proof-of-concept for the power of jointly modeling both the vector and reservoirs in a common framework. A deeper understanding of the unanticipated result regarding the year 2050 is needed.

Dataset Information

First detection of Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Ixodes ricinus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from multiple locations in Hungary.

Publications

First detection of Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Ixodes ricinus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from multiple locations in Hungary.

Similar Datasets

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