Ecological studies of Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) in central Mississippi: lateral movement of adult ticks.

Lateral movement by adult Ixodes scapularis Say was measured by two mark-release-recapture studies in which ticks were collected by flagging, marked with tiny drops of model paint, released at predetermined spots within the study site, and subsequently recaptured during weekly sampling by flagging. In the first mark-release-recapture experiment, 10/23 ticks were recaptured; all but 3 (2 collected at 3 m and 1 at 1 m) were collected at the release point. In the second experiment, 43/82 ticks were recaptured and all but 1 (which was collected 1 m from the release point) were collected within 0.5 m of their release point. Results of this study indicate that lateral movement by questing adult I. scapularis is minimal.