Ectoparasites (Acari, Mallophaga, Anoplura, Diptera) of White-Tailed Deer, Odocoileus virginianus from Southern Florida

Abstract

During a 7-yr period (1984-1990), 300 white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann), from 7 localities in Collier, Dade, and Monroe counties in southern Florida were examined for ectoparasites. Eight species were identified: 4 ticks [Ixodes scapularis Say, I. affinis Neumann, Amblyomma maculatum (Koch), and Dermacentor variabilis (Say)], 1 chigger mite [Eutrombicula splendens (Ewing)], 1 ked (Lipoptena mazamae Rondani), 1 chewing louse [Tricholipeurus lipeuroides (Megnin)], and 1 sucking louse [Solenopotes binipilosus (Fahrenholz)]. The most widely distributed and prevalent species were the deer ked L. mazamae and the blacklegged tick I. scapularis, both of which occurred in all 7 localities, in all years, and in all age classes of deer. Their overall prevalences were 82 and 22%, respectively. The prevalence of L. mazamae varied significantly by month. L. mazamae should be considered a core ectoparasite species of white-tailed deer in southern Florida because of its specificity, distribution, and high prevalence.