Ticks are important vectors of an array of viral, bacterial and protozoan pathogens resulting in a wide range of animal and human diseases. There is limited information in the literature about tick species in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, even though they have suitable climate and vegetation for ticks and their hosts. We reviewed the occurrence of tick species and the pathogens they transmit from the MENA on published papers from 1901–2020. We found taxonomic records of 55 tick species infesting livestock representing the following eight genera: Ornithodoros, Otobius, Amblyomma, Dermacentor, Haemaphysalis, Hyalomma, Ixodes, and Rhipicephalus. In addition, 15 pathogens were recorded causing diseases of significance, with Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever, theileriosis, babesiosis and anaplasmosis being widely distributed diseases in the region. In recent decades, there has been increasing trends in disease occurrence and movement associated with global movement of humans and global trade of animals. We suggest that disease control and prevention could be achieved effectively through good integration between public health, veterinary medicine and animal management, and ecological approaches. We recommend further research in the areas of tick ecology and tick born-disease transmission. Furthermore, we suggest evaluation and improvement of disease control policies in the region.

The western corn rootworm, Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a major pest of corn in Kansas. Planting Bt corn hybrids resistant to this pest is being tested for control of the larval stage of corn rootworms. These hybrids express the Cry3Bb1 toxin and are expected to only directly impact chrysomelids and possibly related taxa. A 2-yr study was conducted to evaluate the effect of Bt corn expressing the Cry3Bb1 toxin on foliar and ground-dwelling nontarget arthropods in Kansas. Visual inspections of adult and immature Coleomegilla maculata (DeGeer), Orius insidiosus (Say), Hippodamia convergens Gurin-Meneville, and Scymnus spp. occurring in Bt corn and its isoline were made at eight locations in Kansas in 2000 and three locations in 2001. Pitfall traps were installed at three locations in 2000 and two locations in 2001 to collect ground-dwelling arthropods in Bt corn and its isoline. In general, no significant differences in numbers of C. maculata, O. insidiosus, H. convergens, and Scymnus spp. were detected between Bt corn and its non-Bt isoline. There were also no significant differences in number of insects collected in pitfall traps installed in plots of Bt corn and its isoline. Bt corn for corn rootworm control had no deleterious effects on beneficial and other nontarget arthropods sampled in this study.

Hyalomma dromedarii is the most important tick species infesting camels in the Middle East. So far, there are no studies on the population dynamics of H. dromedarii ticks on camels in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Thus, the current study was performed: (1) to assess H. dromedarii population dynamics under common camel breeding and management practices in the study area, (2) to evaluate H. dromedarii life stage changes and sex ratio over time, and (3) to measure parasitological indicators of H. dromedarii infestation. We conducted monthly on-site tick visual counts and collection from camels in Al Ain, UAE, over 12 months. Our results show that the infestation prevalence was very high during the whole study period, with a mean of 94.33%. The maximum infestation intensity occurred in June, while the minimum occurred in January. Overall, H. dromedarii ticks were found on camels during the entire year in spite of monthly applications of an acaricide. This study reveals that H. dromedarii has a very high prevalence and continuous presence on camels in the UAE regardless of the weather fluctuations and acaricide applications and showed the need for an effective control strategy.

Laboratory feeding studies were conducted to determine the effects on Orius insidiosus nymphs of feeding on 1-d-old European corn borer, Ostrina nubi