Characterization of overwintering sites of Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick infection rate with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus from eight provinces in South Korea.

•Haemaphysalis longicornis is an important vector of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) virus in eastern Asia.•Overwintering ecology of H. longicornis is largely unknown.•We conducted a field survey to characterize the overwintering habitats of H. longicornis and investigated their infection rates of SFTS virus.•Haemaphysalis longicornis overwintered mainly as nymphal stage in the topsoil layer of herbaceous vegetation.•The minimum infection rate of SFTS virus was estimated as 4 % in overwintering H. longicornis.