Hard Ticks (Ixodidae): Species Composition, Seasonal Dynamics and Body Site Distribution on Cattle in Chilga District, Northwest Ethiopia

Abstract

A study was carried out from Sept. 2010-June 2011 to identify the tick species (Ixodidae) found on cattle and their seasonal population dynamics and body distribution in Chilga district, northwestern Ethiopia. From the total 922 adult ticks collected, eight species from four different genera were identified. Amblyomm variegatum was the most abundant tick species encountered (51.19%) followed by R. evertsi evertsi (18.22%) with A. lepidum (1.95%) being the least abundant. Months significantly (p<0.05) affected ticks infestation rate in cattle. The smallest number of ticks per cattle was observed during the driest month (February) (16.70%), whereas the highest was recorded in the wettest month (June) (34.27%). A. variegatum and R.e. evertsi were abundant throughout the study period with a peak during June. Ticks were widely distributed in different parts of the host body such as ear, neck, tail, mammary gland, udder, groin and anal area region of which udder, dewlap, anal area and tail regions were the most infested parts of the body and face and neck were the least. Any strategy intended to mitigate problems of tick infestation of cattle in this area should take into account the identified tick species and their season of abundance.