1a.Objectives (from AD-416)
The objective of this cooperative research project is to further develop and employ ARS technologies for the control of sheep ticks, Ixodes ricinus, that transmit both Lyme disease and louping ill in Scotland, United Kingdom.

1b.Approach (from AD-416)
Technologies, equipment, and strategies will be developed for the control of sheep ticks that transmit Lyme disease and louping ill. Studies will be implemented and data will be gathered in field trials in Scotland, UK, to determine efficacy of the control technologies against sheep ticks.

3.Progress Report
This report serves to document research conducted under a Non-funded Cooperative Agreement (58-6205-3-0110 F N) between ARS and the Marquess of Lansdowne. Additional information on details of the research can be found in the report for the parent project, 6205-3200-027-00D, Technology to Control Ticks Affecting Livestock and Humans. A variety of game birds ranging from quail, pheasants, and grouse to pet birds such as canaries, parakeets, and parrots are infested with ectoparasites such as lice, mites, and ticks. In some cases these ectoparasites can transmit diseases to the birds and result in high levels of mortality. In other cases they debilitate the birds and affect the aesthetic quality of the plumage. A method of controlling these ectoparasites has been developed. A polymer impregnated with a pesticide was fabricated into legbands and wingtags for attachment to the birds. In the case of the legband, as the birds rest with their legs beneath their plumage or use their legs for grooming, the pesticide from the sustained release polymer is distributed into the and over the feathers where it is contacted by the ectoparasites. For the wingtag, the pesticide is distributed by the movement of the wing against the plumage or the head coming in contact with the wing. An example of the utility of the technology is demonstrated in Scotland for control of the sheep tick, Ixodes ricinus (L.), on Red Grouse. The Red Grouse, the national game bird of Scotland, has been in serious decline in recent years, and evidence suggests that hatching success is good but brood size declines markedly in June. The failure of grouse populations is often attributed to tick burden and the transmission of louping ill virus (LIV) which may be fatal to the chicks. We have demonstrated a significant reduction of tick burden through the use of the legbands on the adult hens and wingtags on the chicks. The technology should be equally effective for treatment of pheasants and quail released from game bird hatcheries and for treatment of pet birds such as canaries, parakeets, and parrots.