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The blacklegged tick, Ixodes scapularis, is the vector of Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agent that causes Lyme disease in North America. Studies investigating host‐parasite interactions are valuable in understanding I. scapularis ecology, and, by extension, the transmission of the Lyme disease pathogen. Small mammals are important hosts for I. scapularis, particularly white‐footed mice and deer mice from the genus Peromyscus. Peromyscus spp. mice have been used as model organisms in several fields of research and are frequently trapped to evaluate broad ecological concepts. Previous studies have suggested that tissue‐damaging marking methods were associated with increased tick burdens, which may have consequences in ecological studies. Our study was designed to evaluate 3 tissue‐damaging marking methods including lab tags, round tags, and ear punches alongside a non‐tissue damage control (blue dye) to determine if any method affected tick burdens on captured mice. Mice were captured biweekly using Sherman traps from May through September in 2020. The overall tick burden fluctuated between months, but no significant difference in total tick burden was found between captured male and female mice. There were no significant differences in tick burden on captured mice among the tissue damaging marking methods and the control. Therefore, marking method choice for Peromyscus spp. for tick ecology studies should consider personal preferences, cost, ease of use, and durability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boxwood (Buxus spp.) is one of the most commonly planted shrubs in urban landscapes across North America, and in Europe Buxus species comprise a significant portion of the forest understory. Cydalima perspectalis (colloquially known as the box tree moth) is a defoliator capable of causing mortality-inducing damage on boxwood in both natural and managed settings. Native to Asia, C. perspectalis is now established in both Europe and Canada and has been detected multiple times in the U.S. Here we review the life cycle and potential impact of C. perspectalis in Canada and the U.S. We discuss effective integrated management strategies and provide areas where management and detection could be improved. Rigorous detection systems will be crucial to preventing the establishment and future management of C. perspectalis in North America. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trachymolgus purpureus Fisher & Dowling sp. n. is described from the Ozark highlands of North America. A diversity of imaging techniques are used to illustrate the species including low-temperature scanning electron microscopy (LT-SEM), stereomicrography, compound light micrography, and digitally created line drawings. Developmental stages (larva, nymphs, and adult) and morphology are illustrated and discussed, and terminological corrections are suggested. Trachymolgus recki Gomelauri, 1961 is regarded as being described from tritonymphs. A key to Trachymolgus is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]