First detection of Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) in Ixodes ricinus ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) from multiple locations of Hungary

The parasiotid wasp, Ixodiphagus hookeri (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) is the natural enemy of a wide range of hard and soft tick species. While these encyrtid wasps are supposed to be distributed worldwide, only few studies report about its actual appearance patterns around the globe. Within a shotgun sequencing based metagenome analysis, the occurrence of I. hookeri was screened at multiple Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) tick sampling points of Hungary, to contribute to the assessment of the appearance patterns of the parasitoid wasps in Central Europe. To our knowledge, the first report of the species in Hungary and the description of the southernmost I. hookeri associated geoposition in Central Europe took place within our study. I. hookeri infested I. ricinus nymphs were detected at five sampling points of Hungary. The results show that the exact distribution range of I. hookeri is still barely studied. At the same time, unprecedented public health issues being brought by climate change might require steps towards the exploitation of the tick biocontrol potential or ecological bioindicator role of the parasitoid wasp in the future.