First Molecular Evidence of <i>Ixodiphagus hookeri</i> (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> and <i>Haemaphysalis concinna</i> (Acari: Ixodida) Ticks from Inland and Coastal Areas of the Balkan Peninsula
<i>Ixodiphagus hookeri</i> (Howard, 1907) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a hyperparasitic wasp that parasitizes hard ticks, has been documented in various parts of Europe; however, data on its presence in southeastern regions has been lacking. This study provides the first molecular evidence...
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2025-07-01
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| author | Veronika Blažeková Michal Stanko Dana Zubriková Lucia Vargová Klaudia Mária Švirlochová Bronislava Víchová |
| author_facet | Veronika Blažeková Michal Stanko Dana Zubriková Lucia Vargová Klaudia Mária Švirlochová Bronislava Víchová |
| author_sort | Veronika Blažeková |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | <i>Ixodiphagus hookeri</i> (Howard, 1907) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a hyperparasitic wasp that parasitizes hard ticks, has been documented in various parts of Europe; however, data on its presence in southeastern regions has been lacking. This study provides the first molecular evidence of <i>I. hookeri</i> in ticks from the coastal areas of the Balkan Peninsula, specifically Croatia and Bulgaria. A total of 1043 questing ticks were collected between 2011 and 2013 across 15 locations. Molecular screening revealed <i>I. hookeri</i> DNA in <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> (Linnaeus, 1758) (Acari: Ixodidae) nymphs from inland Croatia (overall prevalence: 18.72%) and in <i>Haemaphysalis concinna</i> (Koch, 1844) (Acari: Ixodidae) nymphs and larvae from coastal Bulgaria (prevalence: 17.2%). All <i>I. hookeri</i>-positive samples were co-infected with <i>Wolbachia</i> spp. (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae). This detection marks the southernmost record of <i>I. hookeri</i> in Central Europe, expanding its known range to the Balkan Peninsula and supporting its relevance as a potential natural enemy in integrated tick management strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-20003b72506941199a3b82cb44331e87 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-0817 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Pathogens |
| spelling | doaj-art-20003b72506941199a3b82cb44331e872025-08-20T03:32:32ZengMDPI AGPathogens2076-08172025-07-0114765210.3390/pathogens14070652First Molecular Evidence of <i>Ixodiphagus hookeri</i> (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> and <i>Haemaphysalis concinna</i> (Acari: Ixodida) Ticks from Inland and Coastal Areas of the Balkan PeninsulaVeronika Blažeková0Michal Stanko1Dana Zubriková2Lucia Vargová3Klaudia Mária Švirlochová4Bronislava Víchová5Institute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, SlovakiaInstitute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, SlovakiaInstitute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, SlovakiaInstitute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, SlovakiaInstitute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, SlovakiaInstitute of Parasitology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice, Slovakia<i>Ixodiphagus hookeri</i> (Howard, 1907) (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae), a hyperparasitic wasp that parasitizes hard ticks, has been documented in various parts of Europe; however, data on its presence in southeastern regions has been lacking. This study provides the first molecular evidence of <i>I. hookeri</i> in ticks from the coastal areas of the Balkan Peninsula, specifically Croatia and Bulgaria. A total of 1043 questing ticks were collected between 2011 and 2013 across 15 locations. Molecular screening revealed <i>I. hookeri</i> DNA in <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> (Linnaeus, 1758) (Acari: Ixodidae) nymphs from inland Croatia (overall prevalence: 18.72%) and in <i>Haemaphysalis concinna</i> (Koch, 1844) (Acari: Ixodidae) nymphs and larvae from coastal Bulgaria (prevalence: 17.2%). All <i>I. hookeri</i>-positive samples were co-infected with <i>Wolbachia</i> spp. (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae). This detection marks the southernmost record of <i>I. hookeri</i> in Central Europe, expanding its known range to the Balkan Peninsula and supporting its relevance as a potential natural enemy in integrated tick management strategies.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/7/652BalkanCroatiaBulgariaticksIxodeswasps |
| spellingShingle | Veronika Blažeková Michal Stanko Dana Zubriková Lucia Vargová Klaudia Mária Švirlochová Bronislava Víchová First Molecular Evidence of <i>Ixodiphagus hookeri</i> (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> and <i>Haemaphysalis concinna</i> (Acari: Ixodida) Ticks from Inland and Coastal Areas of the Balkan Peninsula Pathogens Balkan Croatia Bulgaria ticks Ixodes wasps |
| title | First Molecular Evidence of <i>Ixodiphagus hookeri</i> (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> and <i>Haemaphysalis concinna</i> (Acari: Ixodida) Ticks from Inland and Coastal Areas of the Balkan Peninsula |
| title_full | First Molecular Evidence of <i>Ixodiphagus hookeri</i> (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> and <i>Haemaphysalis concinna</i> (Acari: Ixodida) Ticks from Inland and Coastal Areas of the Balkan Peninsula |
| title_fullStr | First Molecular Evidence of <i>Ixodiphagus hookeri</i> (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> and <i>Haemaphysalis concinna</i> (Acari: Ixodida) Ticks from Inland and Coastal Areas of the Balkan Peninsula |
| title_full_unstemmed | First Molecular Evidence of <i>Ixodiphagus hookeri</i> (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> and <i>Haemaphysalis concinna</i> (Acari: Ixodida) Ticks from Inland and Coastal Areas of the Balkan Peninsula |
| title_short | First Molecular Evidence of <i>Ixodiphagus hookeri</i> (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in <i>Ixodes ricinus</i> and <i>Haemaphysalis concinna</i> (Acari: Ixodida) Ticks from Inland and Coastal Areas of the Balkan Peninsula |
| title_sort | first molecular evidence of i ixodiphagus hookeri i hymenoptera encyrtidae in i ixodes ricinus i and i haemaphysalis concinna i acari ixodida ticks from inland and coastal areas of the balkan peninsula |
| topic | Balkan Croatia Bulgaria ticks Ixodes wasps |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/14/7/652 |
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