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Each of the 5
Boophilus
spp
has a 1-host life cycle that may be completed in 3-4 wk and results in a heavy tick burden. Under these conditions, acaricide resistance becomes a major problem in control efforts. Zebu cattle, which have served for centuries as hosts of
B
microplus
in the Indian region, have developed resistance to feeding by large numbers of
Boophilus
and are used (purebred or crossbred) in integrated control programs.
B
microplus
, considered the world’s most important tick parasite of livestock, has been introduced from the bovid- and cervid-inhabited forests of the Indian region to many areas of tropical and subtropical Asia, northeastern Australia, Madagascar, coastal lowlands of southeastern Africa to the equator, and much of South and Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
B
microplus
and
B
annulatus
were eradicated from the USA after a long, costly control program. Constant surveillance is maintained to prevent their reintroduction.
B
annulatus
of southern former USSR, the Near and Middle East, and the Mediterranean area, was introduced with livestock of the early Spanish colonialists into northeastern Mexico but has not spread into Central America. In Africa, south of the Sahara and north of the equator, cattle movements probably account for the many
B
annulatus
populations. |
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B
decoloratus
, which ranges from southern Africa to the Sahara, is being replaced in the southeastern part of this area by
B
microplus
. In more humid West African zones,
B
annulatus
mixes with or is totally replaced by
B
geigyi
. Scattered
B
geigyi
populations are found as far east as southern and central Sudan. In Sri Lanka, an unnamed species infests domestic cattle and buffalo and wild deer. The only boophilid restricted to sheep and goats (and occasionally horses) is
B
kohlsi
of Syria, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, western Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
B
microplus
is an experimental vector of
Babesia
equi
, and has been collected from the nasal passages of equids in Panama. This tick and
B
annulatus
are major vectors of
Babesia
bigemina
,
Babesia
bovis
, and
Anaplasma
marginale
.
B
decoloratus
is an efficient vector of
B
bigemina
and
A
marginale
but does not transmit
B
bovis
. This tick apparently does not transmit
B
equi
, but it is an experimental vector of
A
marginale
to cattle. |
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