Erika Machtinger is an associate professor of entomology at Penn State who uses her research to inform and improve public health education and promote awareness of the risks posed by pests such as ticks. Her research is multidisciplinary and integrated, with a focus on pests of veterinary concern. One of her primary research interests is tick ecology and tick-host interactions. She works to understand the behaviors and interactions between ticks and their animal hosts. She is also the Vector-borne Disease Team leader at Penn State Extension, where she delivers science-based education to the public on human and animal vector-borne disease education priorities.
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Projects
Recent Publications
Permission to bite: White-footed mice show no increased grooming response to tick infestation
Brown, J. E., Chuard, P. & Machtinger, E. T., Jun 2025, In: Journal of Zoology. 326, 2, p. 140-147 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Frequencies of house fly proto-Y chromosomes across populations are predicted by temperature heterogeneity within populations
Foy, P. D., Loetzerich, S. R., Boxler, D., Burgess, E. R., Fryxell, R. T. T., Gerry, A. C., Hinkle, N. C., Machtinger, E. T., Olds, C., Tarone, A. M., Watson, W., Scott, J. G. & Meisel, R. P., May 1 2025, In: Journal of Heredity. 116, 3, p. 208-215 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
A scoping review of applied tick control research in North America: funding, implementation, and advancement
Lehane, Á., Mader, E. M., Poggi, J. D., McCoy, K. D., Gruntmeir, J., Weldon, C. T. & Machtinger, E., Mar 1 2025, In: Journal of medical entomology. 62, 2, p. 236-276 41 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Highlights of veterinary entomology, 2023: beyond the barnyard: exploring the wild side of veterinary entomology
Machtinger, E. T., Jan 1 2025, In: Journal of medical entomology. 62, 1, p. 1-7 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
PREVALENCE OF DIROFILARIA MICROFILARIA IN AMERICAN BLACK BEARS (URSUS AMERICANUS) IN PENNSYLVANIA, 2018-2020
Mazzatosta, A., Cleveland, C. A., Yabsley, M. J., Haynes, E., Tiffin, H. S., Machtinger, E. T., Johnson, J. B., Ternent, M., Carrollo, E. & Brown, J. D., Apr 1 2025, In: The Journal of parasitology. 111, 2, p. 172-177 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Infestation by Sarcoptes scabiei causes distinct differences in sarcoptic mange disease syndromes among sympatric carnivoran species
Tiffin, H. S., Brown, J. D., Kelly, K., Van Why, K. R., Ternent, M., Camire, A. C., Schuler, E. J. A., Marconi, R. T. & Machtinger, E. T., Aug 2025, In: International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife. 27, 101070.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Aggressive interactions among white-Tailed deer (Artiodactyla: Cervidae) at 4-poster devices for host-Targeted tick control
Bai, N., Pesapane, R., Machtinger, E. T. & Li, A. Y., Jul 1 2024, In: Journal of medical entomology. 61, 4, p. 975-983 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Comparative susceptibility of adult house fly (Diptera: Muscidae) and an important predator, Carcinops pumilio (Coleoptera: Histeridae), to Beauveria bassiana (Hypocreales: Cordycipitaceae)
Geden, C. J., White, R. L., Pagac, A. A. & MacHtinger, E. T., Jul 1 2024, In: Journal of medical entomology. 61, 4, p. 1009-1015 7 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
An assessment of equine veterinarian knowledge and perceptions of ticks and tick-borne diseases in the United States to inform continuing education needs
Machtinger, E. T., Smarsh, D. N., Kenny, L. B., Poh, K. C., Orr-Gissinger, E. L., Kirkland, B. G. & Springer, H. R., Oct 2024, In: Equine Veterinary Education. 36, 10, p. 527-535 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
An integrative framework for tick management: the need to connect wildlife science, One Health, and interdisciplinary perspectives
Machtinger, E. T., Poh, K. C., Pesapane, R. & Tufts, D. M., Feb 2024, In: Current Opinion in Insect Science. 61, 101131.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Commercial products are not effective at repelling European deer keds, Lipoptena cervi (Diptera: Hippoboscidae) but may increase mortality after exposure
Skvarla, M. J., Poh, K., Norman, C. & Machtinger, E. T., Nov 1 2024, In: Journal of medical entomology. 61, 6, p. 1435-1442 8 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Knowledge and perception of equine ticks and tick-borne diseases of Pennsylvania horse owners and caretakers
Smarsh, D. N., Kenny, L. B., Spindler, M., Poh, K. C. & Machtinger, E. T., Aug 2024, In: Journal of Equine Veterinary Science. 139, 105092.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Maximizing and sustaining the efficacy of tick tubes for management of Ixodes scapularis through optimized deployment strategies
Tiffin, H. S., Green, K. D., Burgess, E. R. & Machtinger, E. T., Nov 1 2024, In: Journal of medical entomology. 61, 6, p. 1459-1469 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Resolution of Clinical Signs of Sarcoptic Mange in American Black Bears (Ursus americanus), in Ivermectin-Treated and Nontreated Individuals
Tiffin, H. S., Brown, J. D., Ternent, M., Snavely, B., Carrollo, E., Kibe, E., Buderman, F. E., Mullinax, J. M. & Machtinger, E. T., Apr 2024, In: Journal of wildlife diseases. 60, 2, p. 434-447 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Differential burdens of blacklegged ticks (Ixodes scapularis) on sympatric rodent hosts
Brown, J. E., Tiffin, H. S., Pagac, A., Poh, K. C., Evans, J. R., Miller, T. M., Herrin, B. H., Tomlinson, T., Sutherland, C. & Machtinger, E. T., Dec 21 2023, In: Journal of Vector Ecology. 49, 1, p. 44-52 9 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review