Simulation of Rhipicephalus sanguineus phenology in residential environments using an individual-based model

Rhipicephalus sanguineus Latreille, the brown dog tick, is a three-host tick species that can establish large indoor populations. A residential infestation may start with a few engorged female ticks that enter a residence with dogs, and then develop synchronously. Later, multiple lifestages with overlapping generations may be observed as ticks are exposed to different microclimates and host availability, leading to variation in development and survival rates. During early residential infestations, brown dog ticks may not be visible to residents when developing in refugia, leading to the belief that the infestation has been eliminated. However, tick presence is again noted once questing begins following molting. To effectively manage brown dog tick residential infestations, it is critical to understand tick phenology. Our hypothesis is that tick development and survival are affected by microclimates and host availability in the residence. Thus, an individual-based model was developed to evaluate tick population changes under a residential environment with dogs as hosts. Tick developmental and survival parameters were obtained from experiments with three brown dog tick strains, while the environmental parameters varied diurnally, seasonally, and between locations within a residence. The landscape is cell-based, focusing on environmental differences across the landscape, and tick movement was host oriented. The outcomes from this model include tick population changes by stage and location, time of population extinction, efficacy of control, and tick visibility. Parameters affecting outcomes will be used to understand which factors influence changes in tick phenology changes and management.