Asian longhorned tick the newest danger in insect invasion

Ticks have been a hot topic this summer as the bothersome insects that spread Lyme disease have been noticed in abundance, but one new invader is bringing some troublesome issues.

According to Janessa Hill, Holmes County OSU Extension agriculture and natural resources educator, the invasion of the Asian longhorned tick has become a growing concern in Wayne and Holmes counties.

“We knew from a producer who lost some livestock earlier this spring that unfortunately they are here,” Hill told the Holmes County Commissioners in a meeting Monday, Aug. 11 at the Old Jail in Millersburg.

Hill said the producer lost some beef cattle to the insect but added the cost of livestock doesn’t stop at just cattle; it also has been found to infect sheep and horses.

Hill said researchers in Ohio aren’t quite certain how the species arrived in the area, but research is ongoing on finding ways to best deal with the pest.

“We don’t know if it’s wildlife or if it's livestock-related through transportation, but it's being found in pockets, especially with this longhorn variety,” Hill said. “It’s a very large number of ticks."

The invasion continues to be a huge concern among the agricultural world.

One researcher is currently conducting studies on hay, which is a breeding ground for ticks who thrive in long grasses.

Hill said studies are being conducted on the cutting of hay and transportation of that hay and exploring what types of temperatures the ticks thrive in, their food sources and how long they live once transported.

“It will be very interesting to see what those research studies come back with,” Hill said.

The Asian longhorned tick poses a significant threat to both livestock and wildlife due to its rapid reproduction and aggressive feeding behavior. Unlike many other tick species, it can reproduce without mating, allowing a single female to generate thousands of offspring in a short time. This leads to large infestations that can cause severe blood loss in animals, resulting in anemia, reduced productivity and even death. In regions where the tick is established, it has already been linked to the transmission of serious livestock diseases.

While the tick has not yet been confirmed to transmit deadly diseases to humans in the United States, it is known to produce severe fever in Asia.

Its ability to feed on a range of hosts including humans raises concerns about its potential to spread new pathogens as it continues to expand its range. The tick’s silent spread and adaptability to various climates make it a growing public health concern that requires close monitoring and proactive control measures.