Seasonal distribution of Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) and detection of SFTS virus in Gyeongbuk Province, Republic of Korea, 2018

•Haemaphysalis longicornis was the most commonly collected in Gyeongbuk Province, Korea.•Haemaphysalis longicornis was more commonly collected in the grassland habitats.•Peak numbers of nymphs, adults, and larvae occurred in the spring, summer, and late summer, respectively.•SFTSV infection rates detected in ticks was highest in autumn.•SFTSV was most frequently detected in Haemaphysalis longicornis. The seasonal distribution of hard ticks was investigated in 2018 in Gyeongbuk Province, Republic of Korea. Ticks were assayed for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV). Ticks were collected monthly using CO2-baited traps from April to November in four habitats (grasslands, grave sites, hiking trails, and mixed forests). Based on morphological and molecular identification, Haemaphysalis longicornis was the most commonly collected species, followed by H. flava and Ixodes nipponensis. Ticks were more commonly collected in grassland habitats, followed by the grave sites, hiking trails, and mixed forests. Peak numbers of nymphs and adults of H. longicornis occurred in May and June, respectively, and Haemaphysalis larvae were collected from August to October. A total of 9/187 (4.8%) pools were positive for SFTSV between June and October in 2018. Phylogenetic analysis of partial fragments of the SFTSV obtained in this study showed that all positive virus samples clustered into genotype B. [Display omitted]