IMPACT OF AIR TEMPERATURE ON THE ACTIVITY OF DERMACENTOR RETICULATUS (FABRICIUS, 1794) POPULATION IN THE KURSK REGION

Ixodid ticks are reservoirs and carriers of many infectious diseases and pose a significant epidemiological threat. In the European part of Russia, including the Kursk Region, the most widespread species is Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabricius, 1794). The study of population characteristics and the activity analysis of ixodid ticks are among the priorities in developing a set of anti-epidemic measures and serve as a basis for understanding the transmission dynamics of vector-borne infections. The study examined the impact of air temperature on the activity of tick species D. reticulatus in the Kursk Region from 2022 to 2024. Hungry ticks were collected in natural biotopes according to a common method, on a flag. Against the background of climate change, the dynamics of tick activity in the Kursk Region is changing. Due to the increase in air temperature, the spring peak of tick activity begins earlier, and the autumn peak begins later. In July 2024, the lowest number of ticks was recorded in the period of the maximum monthly average air temperature. Throughout the entire season of parasitism in 2022–2024, females slightly prevailed over males.