A survey of ixodid ticks on vegetations by a flagging method was made in the upper montane to subalpine zones (ca. 600-1,800m above sea level) of the Chichibu Mountains, during 1985-1986. Ten species belonging to two genera were collected in the upper montane to subalpine zones. Predominant species was Ixodes ovatus (38.0%), followed by Haemaphysalis kitaokai (22.5%), H. flava (15.3%), I. monospinosus (12.7%), I. persulcatus (9.3%), H. japonica (1.7%), I. acutitarsus (0.05%), I. tanuki (0.02%), and others. In comparison with the lower montane zone (ca. 50-500m above sea level), ixodid fauna of the upper montane to subalpine zones was very rich, reflecting high population density of big mammal hosts such as the Sika deer, Cervus nippon. The seasonal occurrence of four ixodid ticks, H. kitaokai (adult), I. ovatus (adult), I. monospinosus (adult) and I. persulcatus (adult and nymph) on vegetations was investigated in the upper montane to subalpine zones. I. ovatus adults and I. persulcatus adults and nymphs were frequently observed on vegetations from spring through summer, but disappeared in autumn. H. kitaokai adults and I. monospinosus adults showed two peaks of occurrence in spring and autumn.
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