Radio-frequency interface in biology and ecology of ixodid ticks

Environmental exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) is increasing with increasing requirements of human society for more sophisticated electronic devices, technologies and services in the last decades. Humans and animals are permanently exposed to a complex of EMF of whole spectrum of frequencies and intensities. Notable effect of EMF have been shown for a number of living organisms, from invertebrates to vertebrates, plants and bacteria. Epidemiological studies provided evidence of increased risk for disorders ranging from mild behavioral alterations to deleterious effect on variety of cell types or whole organisms. The aim of proposed project is to obtain new knowledge about interactions between electromagnetic field and ticks, about the impact of artificial physical radiation on ecological and ethological characteristics and on parasite-host interactions, regarding to tick-borne pathogens presence to assess the degree of alteration of the reaction of ticks to the presence of the electromagnetic field. To characterize the spatio-temporal variations of electromagnetic radiation in vicinity of artificial radiation sources used for electricity transmission, telecommunication and TV and radio broadcasting could answer the question if EMF of certain frequencies affects the distribution of ticks in nature and is responsible for mosaic distribution of ticks under natural conditions. Proposed project aims to find frequencies that are attractive to ticks, but also frequencies that repel the ticks. EMF of certain frequencies affects the distribution of ticks in nature and is responsible for mosaic distribution of ticks under natural conditions