D. Gilrein, 2009

In 2008, all motile stages were found during tick sampling in all study areas (SI, NH, FI), although larvae were relatively uncommon during the sampling period until the end of sampling. Larvae, which are often mistaken for chiggers (rare or unknown around Long Island, H. Ginsburg and S. Campbell pers. comm.) based on reactions to bites, were generally found in few locations and distributions were usually highly clumped, as was expected; very high numbers have been found during informal sampling in July and August. Lone star ticks were common in grassy open fields, or non-grassy herbaceous vegetation in sunny and shaded sites, in wooded areas on low shrubs (adults especially) and on dry fallen leaves. During informal sampling at one residential site, nymphs were also found in a mowed lawn area, although at low levels. Blacklegged ticks were also found while sampling, although at much lower levels and almost exclusively in wooded areas on low-growing vegetation or fallen leaves. Very few were found on FI and these were mainly seen under pines among fallen needles or in shaded spots. Nymphs were the most common stage found during sampling; adults were observed during device placement in late winter and early spring, but rarely found during sampling in June. Larvae were seen at some locations, although at low levels and never in highly clumped distributions as with the lone star larvae. American dog ticks were in very low numbers overall; only adults were found and they were generally in shrubby 'islands' in fields or landscapes. No other species of ticks were seen in samples. Tick sampling will be repeated in the same locations and time period in 2009 and 2010 and compared with 2008 data.