Electromagnetic radiation and behavioural response of ticks: an experimental test

Factors associated with the increased usage of electronic devices, wireless technologies and mobile phones nowadays are present in increasing amounts in our environment. All living organisms are constantly affected by electromagnetic radiation which causes serious environmental pollution. The distri...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Experimental & applied acarology 2018-05, Vol.75 (1), p.85-95
Main Authors: Vargová, Blažena, Majláth, Igor, Kurimský, Juraj, Cimbala, Roman, Kosterec, Michal, Tryjanowski, Piotr, Jankowiak, Łukasz, Raši, Tomáš, Majláthová, Viktória
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Affinity
Anechoic chambers
Animal Distribution - radiation effects
Animal Ecology
Animal Genetics and Genomics
Animal Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography
Animals
Arachnids
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Biotic factors
Cellular telephones
Dermacentor - radiation effects
Ecological risk assessment
Electromagnetic compatibility
Electromagnetic fields
Electromagnetic Fields - adverse effects
Electromagnetic radiation
Electronic devices
Electronic equipment
Entomology
Exposure
Female
Health risks
Horn antennas
Laboratories
Life Sciences
Low frequency
Male
Pollution abatement
Radiation
Radio frequency
Radio Waves - adverse effects
Slovakia
Ticks
Wireless communications
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Summary:Factors associated with the increased usage of electronic devices, wireless technologies and mobile phones nowadays are present in increasing amounts in our environment. All living organisms are constantly affected by electromagnetic radiation which causes serious environmental pollution. The distribution and density of ticks in natural habitats is influenced by a complex of abiotic and biotic factors. Exposure to radio-frequency electromagnetic field (RF-EMF) constitutes a potential cause altering the presence and distribution of ticks in the environment. Our main objective was to determine the affinity of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks towards RF-EMF exposure. Originally designed and constructed radiation-shielded tube (RST) test was used to test the affinity of ticks under controlled laboratory conditions. All test were performed in an electromagnetic compatibility laboratory in an anechoic chamber. Ticks were irradiated using a Double-Ridged Waveguide Horn Antenna to RF-EMF at 900 and 5000 MHz, 0 MHz was used as control. The RF-EMF exposure to 900 MHz induced a higher concentration of ticks on irradiated arm of RST as opposed to the RF-EMF at 5000 MHz, which caused an escape of ticks to the shielded arm. This study represents the first experimental evidence of RF-EMF preference in D. reticulatus . The projection of obtained results to the natural environment could help assess the risk of tick borne diseases and could be a tool of preventive medicine.
ISSN:0168-8162
1572-9702
DOI:10.1007/s10493-018-0253-z