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Exotic grass invasion reduces survival of Amblyomma americanum and Dermacentor variabilis ticks (Acari: Ixodidae).

David J Civitello1, S Luke Flory, Keith Clay

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Area of Science:

  • Ecology
  • Invasive Species Biology
  • Disease Ecology

Background:

  • Exotic plants often co-occur with human activity areas favored by disease vectors like ticks.
  • Habitat alterations by invasive plants may influence disease vector populations and human disease risk.
  • Japanese stiltgrass (Microstegium vimineum) is a highly invasive grass in the eastern US where key tick species occur.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To test if experimental Japanese stiltgrass invasions alter soil microclimate.
  • To determine the impact of these microclimate changes on tick survival.
  • To assess the indirect effects of invasive plants on human disease risk.

Main Methods:

  • Established experimental plots with Japanese stiltgrass invasions and native vegetation controls.
  • Introduced two tick species, Amblyomma americanum and Dermancentor variabilis, into plots.
  • Monitored tick mortality rates and measured soil surface temperature and humidity.

Main Results:

  • Tick mortality significantly increased in invaded plots: 173% for D. variabilis and 70% for A. americanum.
  • Microstegium invasion led to a 13.8% increase in temperature and an 18.8% decrease in humidity.
  • These microclimatic shifts are known factors that increase tick mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Japanese stiltgrass invasion alters microclimate, creating conditions detrimental to tick survival.
  • Invasive plants can mediate disease vector populations, with unpredictable ecological consequences.
  • Management strategies should integrate invasive plant control with vector-borne disease mitigation.