Experimental studies of interactions between wild turkeys and black-legged ticks

Wild turkeys are increasing in abundance and distribution in eastern North America, but their potential role as hosts for ticks, or as predators on ticks, is unknown. We performed two experiments, one to determine whether juvenile black-legged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) feed successfully on turkeys, and the other to determine if turkeys depredate adult black-legged ticks in forest habitats. Of 550 larval ticks placed directly on 5 captive wild turkeys, none engorged and only 7 (1.3%) were recovered; the remainder apparently were consumed during preening. Of 165 nymphal ticks placed on the turkeys, 5 engorged and 8 unengorged ticks were collected; 152 (93.3%) were apparently consumed. Of 250 adult ticks introduced into forest enclosures exposed to turkey foraging, 89.5% were recaptured, which was not significantly different from the 92.2% recaptured in control enclosures from which turkeys were excluded. We conclude that wild turkeys are unlikely to host juvenile black-legged ticks in nature, and that turkey foraging is unlikely to reduce local density of adult ticks.