Ectoparasite infestation parameters of white-tailed deer in southeastern Georgia, USA

During the 2000-2001 and 2013-2014 hunting seasons in southeastern Georgia, USA, a survey of the ectoparasites of the white-tailed deer was conducted in an 11 county region. A total of 232 deer carcasses were examined for ectoparasites at local deer processing plants. Seven species of arthropods were collected: the ticks Amblyomma americanum (L.), Dermacentor albipictus (Packard), and Ixodes scapularis Say (Acari: Ixodidae); the scab mite Psoroptes equi (Hering) (Acari: Psoroptidae); the chewing louse Tricholipeurus lipeuroides (Mégnin) (Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae); the sucking louse Solenopotes binipilosus (Fahrenholz) (Phthiraptera: Linognathidae); and the ked Lipoptena mazamae Rondani (Diptera: Hippoboscidae). Prevalence (percent of deer infested) was significantly higher for 3 species (D. albipictus, I. scapularis and L. mazamae) during the 2013-2014 season and significantly higher for 1 species (T. lipeuroides) during the 2000-2001 season. Mean intensity (mean per infested deer) was significantly higher during the 2013-2014 season for L. mazamae.  Prevalence and mean intensity for D. albipictus were both significantly higher on male versus female deer for both hunting seasons and for combined data (both years combined). Prevalence of I. scapularis was significantly higher on male deer during the 2013-2014 season and for combined data. Prevalence of L. mazamae was significantly higher on male deer for combined data whereas mean intensities were higher on male deer during 2013-2014 and for combined data.