Ticks
Rocky Mountain wood tick.
In recent years, ticks have come to the forefront as a major vector of disease. Lyme disease is the most commonly reported vector-borne infectious disease in the United States. In the western part of the country, the black-legged tick (Ixodes pacificus) is believed to be the primary vector of this disease. Although Lyme disease has been reported in Idaho with an average of eight cases per year (2002-2012), the distribution of the tick vector has only been reported in Ada and Bannock Counties. Other tickborne diseases reported for Idaho are Rocky Mountain spotted fever (average of three cases per year), relapsing fever (average of one case per year) and tularemia (average of less than one case per year). Some cases of tularemia may be the result of skin contact with infected animals.
Currently, 1 species of Argas, 4 species of Omithodoros, 2 species of Otobius, 4 species of Dermacentor, 1 species of Haemaphysalis, 13 species of Ixodes and 1 species of Rhipicephalus are suspected of occurring in Idaho.
Currently, 1 species of Argas, 4 species of Omithodoros, 2 species of Otobius, 4 species of Dermacentor, 1 species of Haemaphysalis, 13 species of Ixodes and 1 species of Rhipicephalus are suspected of occurring in Idaho.
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Because of potential health risks, ticks should be removed from the body as soon as they are found. The best way is using fine-pointed tweezers. Do not use the fingers, burn the tick or try to smother it with petroleum products. Grasp the tick as close to the skin as possible and pull straight out, using a steady but gentle pull until the tick's hold is released. After disposing of the tick, wash hands and the attachment site and apply an antiseptic. Contact a physician promptly if a rash or sudden fever develops following a tick bite.
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Grasping tick.
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Pull tick straight out.
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- www.healthandwelfare.idaho.gov/health/epidemiology/idahodiseasesummaries/disease trends (for years 2002-2012).
- Brothers, DR. 1997. An introduction to Idaho ticks: for public health workers. Unpublished work: Appendix A: Idaho tick summary (table) 1 p.
Spiny-legged Bug
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The natural range of the spiny-legged bug or leptopodid (Patapius spinosus) is the Eastern Hemisphere. It was first reported in America in California in 1941. Within a decade, this species had spread to a number of California counties and appeared to be restricted to the state. However, in 1971 it was found in Reno, Nevada. Finding the species in Gem County, Idaho, in 1977 represented a significant extension east of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In reporting this finding, it was suggested that additional collections of this insect could be anticipated in other parts of the Pacific Northwest and the Great Basin. Indeed, the species has been reported in Oregon and Washington in 2000 and Texas in 2005.
The leptopodid is easily identified by the long spines on much of the body, including the eyes. The species appears to be of no economic importance. Reference: Brothers, DR. 1979. First record of Patapius spinosus in Idaho and Nevada (Hemiptera: Leptopodidae). Western North American Naturalist (Great Basin Naturalist).39(2):195-196. |
Spiny-legged Bug.
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