Flea Reloading: Tracking the Rate Fleas Return to Hosts after Initial Flea Removal in Black-Tailed Prairie Dogs.
Holly Gilchrist Wildlife Ecology and Management
Jacob Linsmeyer (Not Pictured) Biology
Jason Fly (Not Pictured)
Seth Gerberding (Not Pictured) Wildlife Ecology and Management
Madisen Hartlaub (Not Pictured) M.S. Natural Resources
Natural Resources Master’s Student
Plague, caused by the bacterium Yersinia pestis, poses a deadly threat to many species, including black tailed-prairie dogs ( Cynomys ludovicianus ). Prairie dogs are highly susceptible to plague with mortality rates nearing 100%. Prairie dogs become infected with plague via contact with infected fleas. To control plague on prairie dog colonies, land managers use insecticides that reduce flea populations. After flea removal, there is knowledge lacking in how quickly prairie dogs are reinfested with fleas. We aimed to better understand flea reinfestation rates of prairie dogs after a flea removal event. We hypothesized that fleas would recolonize prairie dogs within two days after being combed, because they occupy burrows and take blood meals every 24 to 48 hours. To conduct this experiment, we trapped prairie dogs in Badlands National Park, South Dakota in June and July 2025. Captured prairie dogs were anesthetized and vigorously combed for 2 minutes over a white bin. Fleas were then collected and removed from the environment. When recapturing the prairie dogs, we repeated this process and documented the number of fleas that had colonized each individual. In total 53 prairie dogs were captured at least twice. We will use a binomial model to access the timeline it takes for fleas to begin reappearing on prairie dogs. We will also use a Quasi-Poisson linear regression model to assess variables that may affect the rate that fleas reappear. This research will provide insights for managers of ecologically important prairie dog colonies, insecticide developers, and plague researchers.
Advisors: Shelli Dubay, Ph.D. Travis Livieri, Ph.D. David Eads, Ph.D.
Subject Area: Wildlife
Type: Poster
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Jim and Katie Krause CNR Student Research Symposium
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