Ticks – now and then. Is prediction of abundance possible?

Place: Vienna
Venue: Vienna Marriott Hotel, Austria
Local organizer: Michiel Wjinvield, Georg Duscher

This workshop is going to discuss the possibilities to predict tick abundance and tick spreading by using forecasting tools. The use of simple temperature-based models as well as sophisticated models including complex parameters will be presented. Their potential and need will be evaluated among tick specialists. Furthermore, the interdisciplinary link between modellers and entomologists will be tightened to enable further cooperations.

Objectives:

• to identify and map current tick forecasting activities in the action
• to sneek into the world of modellers to experience their need
• to discuss a common and consolidated approach on ticks and climate change
• critically discuss the potential and possibilities of these models
• to foster sustained collaboration between tick biologists, ecologists, and
  modeller

AGENDA

22 March, 2026
A more detailed program will be available soon.

09.00-09.15    Welcome by local organizers (Michiel Wjinvield)
09.15-09.30    WG 3 (Georg Duscher, Laura Tomassone)
09.30-10.00    Keynote Lecture (Johanna Wittholm) – The national Project “CD Risk”; Hyalomma ticks in Austria?
10.00-10.30     Keynote Lecture (Donal Bisanzio) – TBA
10.30-11.00      Coffee break
11.00-11.30      Keynote Lecture (Agustín Estrada-Peña – TBA
11.30-12.30      Workshop: Tour the table – Does countries do prediction? Which ticks? (Georg Duscher, Laura Tomassone)
12.30-13.00     Next steps for a more common approach
13.00-14.00     Lunch