Sampling Efficiency of Three Dragging Techniques for the Collection of Nonparasitic Boophilus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) Larvae in Puerto Rico

Abstract

A tick drag, hinge-flag sampler, and cylinder sampler were compared for the collection of Boophilus microplus (Canestrini) larvae in artificially infested plots for efficiency and consistency. Variability in collections occurred on forward and return drags for all three devices. Mean percentages of ticks collected were 10.29%, tick drag; 8.29%, hingeflag sampler; and 6.49%, cylinder sampler. Coefficients of variation were 31 (range, 17–55), 32 (range, 22–55), and 37 (range, 24–64), respectively. A comparison between the tick drag and hinge-flag sampler in a naturally infested rough pasture showed no significant differences between devices ( P < 0.05). Mean numbers of larvae per drag were 7.23 ± 4.87 and 9.57 ± 8.26, respectively. Variability in catch is a potential problem with all three sampling devices and suggests a need to examine other experimental designs to decrease this variability. At present, the tick drag is our preferred sampling device.