ADTSIM 2.0: An Updated Simulation of American Dog Tick Population Dynamics and Transmission of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever

Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever is a critical public health concern in the United States; however, there are challenges in understanding its transmission dynamics due to the complex interactions between Rickettsia rickettsii, the dog tick (Dermacentor variabilis), various hosts, and environmental factors. Building upon the foundational model by Cooksey et al. (1990), we introduce ADTSIM 2.0, an updated model that simulates the lifecycle of D. variabilis and the transmission of R. rickettsii. Our approach integrates enhanced simulations of tick life stages (larvae, nymph, and adult), questing behavior, host-seeking dynamics, and survival rates under varying environmental conditions. The model includes refined calculations for tick interactions with small and medium-sized mammal hosts and factors in critical environmental influences such as temperature on tick development and questing activity. It uniquely addresses the impact of questing behavior on tick longevity, emphasizing the survival-host-seeking trade-off. This model provides crucial insights for public health strategy, offering a framework for assessing tick control measures and adaptable for other tick-borne diseases.