Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series Volume 15 | Number 2 Article 1 8-1971 A list of arthropods of medical importance which occur in Utah with a review of arthropod-borne diseases endemic in the state Vernon J. Tipton Department of Zoology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Robert C. Saunders Department of Zoology, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byuscib Part of the Anatomy Commons, Botany Commons, Physiology Commons, and the Zoology Commons Recommended Citation Tipton, Vernon J. and Saunders, Robert C. (1971) "A list of arthropods of medical importance which occur in Utah with a review of arthropod-borne diseases endemic in the state," Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series: Vol. 15 : No. 2 , Article 1. Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/byuscib/vol15/iss2/1 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Western North American Naturalist Publications at BYU ScholarsArchive. It has been accepted for inclusion in Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series by an authorized editor of BYU ScholarsArchive. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected]. MUS. COMP. ZCOL. LIDRARY FEB ISiqyp Brigham Young University h ^Ar o Science Bulletin A LIST OF ARTHROPODS OF MEDICAL IMPORTANCE WHICH OCCUR IN UTAH WITH A REVIEW OF ARTHROPOD-BORNE DISEASES ENDEMIC IN THE STATE by Vernon J. Tipton and Robert C. Saunders BIOLOGICAL SERIES — VOLUME XV, NUMBER 2 AUGUST 1971 . BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY SCIENCE BULLETIN BIOLOGICAL SERIES Editor: Stanley L. Welsh, Department of Botany, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah Members of the Editorial Board: Vernon J. Tipton, Zoology Ferron L. Anderson, Zoology Joseph R. Murdock, Botany Wilmer W. Tanner, Zoology Ex officio Members: A. Lester Allen, Dean, College of Biological and Agricultural Sciences Ernest L. Olson, Chairman, University Publications The Brigham Young University Science Bulletin, Biological Series, publishes acceptable papers, particularly large manuscripts, on all phases of biology. Separate numbers and back volumes can be purchased from Publication Sales, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah. All remittances should be made payable to Brigham Young University. Orders and materials for library exchange should be directed to the Division of Gifts and Exchange, Brigliam Young University Library, Provo, Utah 84601 Brigham Young University Science Bulletin A LIST OF ARTHROPODS OF MEDICAL IMPORTANCE WHICH OCCUR IN UTAH WITH A REVIEW OF ARTHROPOD-BORNE DISEASES ENDEMIC IN THE STATE by Vernon J. Tipton and Robert C. Saunders BIOLOGICAL SERIES — VOLUME XV, NUMBER 2 AUGUST 1971 TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION I Colorado Tick Fever 1 The Encephalitides 2 Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever 2 Plague 3 Tularemia 3 Malaria 4 Miscellaneous 5 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS 6 LIST OF ARTHROPODS 7 Arachnida 7 Insecta 8 BIBLIOGRAPHY 19 Acariiia 19 Anoplura 20 Araneida 21 Coleoptera 21 Diptera 21 Hemiptera 24 Hvmenoptera 25 Lepidoptera 25 MaUophaga 25 Orthoptera 25 Scorpionida 25 Siphonaptera 26 Colorado Tick Fever 26 Encephalitis 26 Malaria 27 Plague 27 Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever 28 Tularemia 28 Miscellaneous 29 A LIST OF ARTHROPODS OF MEDICAL IMPORTANCE WHICH OCCUR IN UTAH WITH A REVIEW OF ARTHROPOD-BORNE DISEASES ENDEMIC IN THE STATE by Vernon J. Tipton and Robert C. Saunders" INTRODUCTION The information contained in this paper has were prompted by the astute observations of been assembled for the express purpose of local physicians. demonstrating lacunae in current knowledge of health problems associated with arthropods in Colorado Tick Fever: Utah. Obviously it is not definitive, nor is it The work of Becker (1926, 1930) demon- intended to be, but rather it should serve as a strated that Colorado tick fever (CTF) is a base for future research investigations. It will be disease entity distinct from Rocky Mountain modified as additional infonnation becomes spotted fever (RMSF) but it was not until 1940 available. that Topping, Cullyford, and Davis (1940) pro- Not all of the arthropods in this list are of vided the first detailed clinical description of proven medical importance— in fact many of CTF. Consequently, accurate data on the inci- them are of doubtful importance—but they are dence of CTF prior to 1940 are not available. included in the list because they are close rela- Records of cases of CTF in Utah from 1940 to tives of species which are of medical signifi- 1959 maintained by the Rocky Mountain Labo- cance in other areas and their potential for af- ratory in Hamilton, Montana, are probably the fecting the health of man has not yet been fully most reliable but may be incomplete because investigated. information is based on CTF virus isolated from Some difficulties are inherent in a review of the blood of Utah residents at Hamilton and the history of arthropod-bome diseases, particu- undoubtedly there were patients who were hos- larlv in rural areas. Records are incomplete and pitalized elsewhere or not at all. Prior to 1960 their accuracy is suspect. Some arthropod-bome the accuracy of records of CTF is in question diseases are not included on the standard state because diagnostic techniques for the arbovi- report form and thus in manv instances are not ruses were in their infancy. Comparatively sim- reported. In rural areas, where many arthropod- ple but reliable tests are available but physicians bome diseases occur, people may not seek medi- may not utilize them either because of incon- cal care because of tradition or because no care venience or they may not be aware that the CTF is available. Diagnostic techniques are slow to virus persists for approximately 90 days after reach rural areas and receive broad acceptance. onset. Because of their epidemiological and Unless the index of suspicion is high, physicians clinical similarities CTF has been confused with are prone to ignore diagnostic tests necessary for RMSF. In children CTF may cause encephalitis- specific discrimination. However, the history of like symptoms and even death (Eklund, Kenne- tularemia in Utah provides ample evidence that dy, and Casey, 1961 ) but probably there are few rural medicine does not necessarily mean archaic inapparent infections in a population. It is pos- methods and techniques. Dr. Richard A. Pearse, sible that many mild cases have escaped detec- a Brigham City physician, published a clinical tion and have not been reported. According to description of tularemia in humans which is Pratt and Rice (1969) there were only 96 cases considered to be the first account in the English of CTF reported in Utah during the period from language (Jellison, 1971). Many of the early 19.56 to 1969 compared with 1,717 cases in epidemiological investigations of tularemia were Colorado during the same period. However, the conducted in the rural community of Delta and low incidence of CTF in Utah mav not be a 'Department of /oology. BriRhani Yoiinp Ifniversity, Provo. Utah. Brigham Young University Science Bulletin true measure of its significance. There is no ( 1 ) There was in Utah in 1958 a recognized immunization available and treatment consists outbreak of Western Etjuine Encephalitis in man; (2) It was accompanied hy a tremen- of supportive care. dous increase in the numbers of C. ttirsalis Dennacentor andersoni Stiles is considered mosciiiitoes; (3) Culi-x tarsalis moscpiitoes to be the most important vector in the epidemio- were avidly feeding on man in consideralile numbers during this period; and (4) .Some C logical pattern involving man. However, CTF tarsalii mosijuitoes were harboring tlic Western virus has been isolated from ticks of several equine strain of encephalitis \irus. other species indicating that they may play an Local physicians reported extensive outbreak important role in the cycle in nature. Ecological an of encephalitis of unconfinned etiology studies aimed at detennining epidemiological human in Box Elder County in 1936. In Weber County patterns in nature and particularlv the identity of reservoir animals are needed. in 19.56 there was a serologically confinned case of St. Louis encephalitis and in 1957 a fatal case of SLE plus two cases of WE, one of which The Enci:i'iialitu)es: was fatal. There were 525 cases of equine en- Cases of western encephalitis (WE) and cephalitis from 1955 to 1969, including 244 perhaps other encephalitides have probably oc- cases in the outbreak of 1958. There is no evi- curred in humans and horses in Utah prior to dence of arbovirus activity in Weber County the outbreak of 1933. However, the etiology and from 1933 to 1955. During recent years along epidemiology of the encephalitides had not yet the Wasatch front there have been occasional been elucidated, and one can only speculate cases of a disease, difficult to diagnose but typi- about the prevalence of arthropod-bonie viral cal of western encephalitis. Physicians do not agents in horses and humans prior to that date. routinely submit acute and convalescent sera In the Register of Deaths at the Salt Lake City necessary for definitive diagnostic tests. Some Health Department, Bureau of Vital Statistics, additional information is needed on feeding brain fever was listed as the cause of death in preferences of mosquitoes and the role of pas- several instances during the 1847-1865 period. serine birds in the epidemiology of WE in areas It is possible that at least some of these deaths where there have been active foci in the past. were due to infections with arboviruses. The fate of arboviruses during periods between The 1933 episode described by Madsen epidemics is a perennial problem recjuiring in- ) in ( 1934 occurred two waves, both of which vestigation. began in the West Point area of Weber County. Other arbovinises which have been isolated The first wave began about Julv, reached a peak in Utah include Hart Park-like isolates from about 10 August, and had almost completely Ctilex tarsalis, California encephalitis group iso- subsided by 1 September.