The effect of cattle tick (Boophilus microplus) on the growth of Bos indicus × B. taurus steers

1983 ◽  
Vol 34 (3) ◽  
pp. 317 ◽  
Author(s):  
RW Sutherst ◽  
GF Maywald ◽  
JD Kerr ◽  
DA Stegeman
Keyword(s):  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Cattle Breed ◽  
Nutritional Supplement ◽  
Boophilus Microplus ◽  
Cattle Tick ◽  
Winter Period ◽  
Economic Thresholds ◽  
Tick Survival ◽  
Poor Nutrition

The effect of the tick Boophilus microplus on the liveweight of Bos indicus x B. tauvus steers was investigated using three levels of infestation during summer 1980, autumn-winter 1980 and summer 1981. Mean losses in liveweight per engorged female tick during each of the three periods were 0.72,0.47 and 1.52 gper tick respectively. The 1980 estimates were significantly lower (P < 0.05) than that in summer 1981, and the losses were independent of tick density. The loss per tick was unaffected by a supplement of molasses and urea in the autumn-winter period. Compensatory growth of those steers whose earlier growth was retarded by poor nutrition or ticks was investigated by keeping all the steers tick-free during spring. The previous medium and high tick groups gained 5-6 kg per animal more than the low group. Non-supplemented animals recovered all of their 14 kg disadvantage compared with the supplemented group. Mean tick survival rates varied from 9% in summer 1980 to 25% in autumn and 2% in summer 1981. They were reduced at higher densities but were unaffected by the nutritional supplement. The large variation in losses in liveweight per tick on these animals on the same pastures at different times suggests that differences in published estimates are frequently due to animal variation rather than to nutrition, cattle breed or environment. Economic thresholds were calculated for a range of effects of ticks and of chemical control costs. With a mean loss of 0.6 g per tick and 1983 dipping costs of $A1.35, the economic threshold is 158 ticks engorging per day per animal, assuming a kill of 97 %.

Ecology of the cattle tick (Boophilus microplus) in subtropical Australia. III. Modelling populations on different breeds of cattle

1988 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 309 ◽  
Author(s):  
AS Bourne ◽  
RW Sutherst ◽  
ID Sutherland ◽  
GF Maywald ◽  
DA Stegeman
Keyword(s):  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Boophilus Microplus ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Cattle Tick ◽  
Marginal Problem ◽  
Cattle Ticks ◽  
Test Current ◽  
Subtropical Australia

The numbers of cattle ticks, Boophi1us microplus, were counted on cattle, with different Bos indicus (zebu) content in central and southern Queensland, from November 1977 to May 1982. Concurrently, measurements were made of the survival rates of parasitic stages of the tick and of the success of free-living stages in producing larval progeny. These measurements were related to the tick burdens on the cattle in order to test current understanding of the ecology of the tick.Tick numbers increased exponentially with decreasing Bos indicus content. Tick numbers built up very rapidly on the Bos taurus cattle and resulted in deaths early in the first season, so the herd was replaced with animals of 25% zebu content. The pure zebu animals carried an average of five ticks per animal per day in central Queensland and only one in southern Queensland. The 50% zebu herds carried 65 ticks per day in central Queensland and 1 l in southern Queensland, compared with 79 and 37 on the 25% zebu herds at the two locations. During their brief time in the experiment the B. taurus animals carried 465 and 302 ticks per day in central and southern Queensland respectively.The observed tick infestation levels were estimated to cause annual losses of liveweight gain of 1, 14 and 17 kg in zebu, 50% zebu and 25% zebu animals respectively in central Queensland. Comparative figures for southern Queensland were 0, 2 and 8 kg. Compensatory liveweight gain would have reduced these losses by up to 6 kg. These data relate to animals which were breeding most of the time and hence were less resistant than dry cattle. The results indicate that B. microplus has been reduced to a marginal problem on animals with 50% zebu genes in the region. It is therefore difficull to justify any control measures in southern areas, particularly when they could increase the risk of babesiosis. Owners of B. taurus cattle will continue to be at risk of major losses in productivity.Changes in the tick burden on the herd5 were explained mostly by changes in survival rates of parasitic ticks in central Queensland and by changes in availability of larvae on the pastures in southern Queensland.

Gene expression in the skin of Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle infested with the cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus

2008 ◽  
Vol 126 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 110-119 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily K. Piper ◽  
Louise A. Jackson ◽  
Neil H. Bagnall ◽  
Kritaya K. Kongsuwan ◽  
Ala E. Lew ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Bos Taurus ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Boophilus Microplus ◽  
Cattle Tick

Host resistance to cattle tick (Boophilus microplus) in Brahman (Bos indicus) cattle. I. Responses of previously unexposed cattle to four infestations with 20,000 larvae

1975 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1073 ◽  
Author(s):  
BM Wagland
Keyword(s):  
Host Resistance ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Boophilus Microplus ◽  
Cattle Tick ◽  
Brahman Cattle ◽  
The Mean

Four purebred Brahman and four beef Shorthorn cattle which had not previously been exposed to Boophilus microplus were infested four times with 20,000 B. microplus larvae. On first infestation, the yield of engorged female ticks on all animals was about 25% of the larvae applied. Aftcr three further infestations, the mean yield of engorged females on the Brahmans decreased to 7.5% whereas there was no decrease in the yield of ticks on the Shorthorns. On the Brahman cattle. development of larvae to engorged females took 1–2 days longer and the engorged females weighed less. However, there was no difference in the reproductive index of female ticks engorged on either Brahmans or Shorthorns. Increases in rectal temperatures occurred in all cattle 15–17 days after the first infestation and in some cattle on days 6–7 as well as on days 15–17 after reinfestation. It was concluded that resistance to B. microplus is an acquired phenomenon in Brahman cattle.

Effect of cattle tick (Boophilus microplus) infestation on performance of Bos indicus cross cows and their progeny

1988 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 1 ◽  
Author(s):  
RG Holroyd ◽  
PJ Dunster ◽  
PK O'Rourke
Keyword(s):  
Pregnancy Rate ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Treated Group ◽  
Pregnancy Rates ◽  
Boophilus Microplus ◽  
Cattle Tick ◽  
First Year ◽  
The Third ◽  
Lactating Cows ◽  
Tick Counts

The effects of cattle tick infestations on liveweight and fertility of Droughtmaster (1/2 Bos indicus) cows and on calf weaning weights were determined over 3 years. Tick populations on the control (non-dipped) group of cattle fluctuated, with mean annual tick counts/side being 9.5, 8.9 and 13.6 for years 1, 2 and 3 respectively, while the treated group of cattle, which were dipped every 21 days, were free of ticks. Tick counts were not related to fertility or liveweight change in pregnant-lactating cows or to calf growtb or weaning weights. Treatment for ticks significantly (P<0.05) affected liveweight change in pregnant-lactating cows on only a few occasions, and annual liveweight changes were not significantly influenced by treatment. When lactating cow pregnancy rates were low (< 30% for control cows), treatment for ticks increased the pregnancy rate by about 100% in 2 of the 3 years, these differences being significant only in the last year. Calves in the treated group were born significantly earlier in the first year and had significantly lighter birth weights in the third year. Treated calves grew faster to weaning and had higher weaning weights (mean difference 17.9 kg) than control calves but differences were significant in the first and third years only.

Host resistance to cattle tick (Boophilus microplus) in Brahman (Bos indicus) cattle. II.* The dynamics of resistance in previously unexposed and exposed cattle

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 395 ◽  
Author(s):  
BM Wagland
Keyword(s):  
Phase I ◽  
Phase Ii ◽  
Host Resistance ◽  
Initial Period ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Boophilus Microplus ◽  
Phase Iii ◽  
Cattle Tick ◽  
Development Of Resistance

The dynamics of host resistance to Boophilus microplus was investigated in previously unexposed and exposed Brahmans, and in previously unexposed Shorthorn cattle. The animals were infested each day with 1000 larvae, and the development of resistance was monitored by counting the number of female ticks which engorged. The previously unexposed cattle showed an initial period of susceptibility (phase I) which was followed by a period in which most animals developed degrees of resistance (phase II), and which stabilized in some animals (phase III). The duration of phase I was shorter in Brahmans, and they developed higher levels of resistance (phase III). In contrast, previously cxposed Brahmans manifested phase III levels of resistance immediately on infestation. The results provide further evidence that resistance to B. microplus in Brahmans, as well as in European breeds, is acquired rather than innate. __________________ *Part I, Aust. J. Agric. Res., 26: 1073 (1975).

Host resistance to cattle tick (Boophilus microplus) in Brahman (Bos indicus) cattle. III.* Growth on previously unexposed animals

1978 ◽  
Vol 29 (2) ◽  
pp. 401 ◽  
Author(s):  
BM Wagland
Keyword(s):  
Skin Temperature ◽  
Growth Rates ◽  
Host Resistance ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Growth Curves ◽  
Boophilus Microplus ◽  
Cattle Tick ◽  
Brahman Cattle ◽  
Length Measurements ◽  
Surface Skin Temperature

Length measurements were used to compare the growth of the parasitic stages of Boophilus microplus on previously unexposed Brahman (Bos indicus) and Shorthorn (B. taurus) cattle. Growth curves based on the length measurements were constructed. Growth was slower on Brahmans than on Shorthorns during the first 24 hr of larval and nymphal instars. After the first 24 hr, the growth rates of larvae, and of nymphs, during feeding to engorgement were the same on the rump and belly regions of both species of cattle. Larvae and nymphs engorged more slowly on the brisket than they did on the rump and belly regions of the Brahmans. The surface skin temperature was lower on the brisket of the Brahmans. On the basis of change in the length of the tick during development on Brahmans, 16 age categories were established, so that the length of the tick may be used to estimate the ages of ticks in populations on Brahman cattle. Age categories were also defined for ticks which had been processed in formalin and hot alkali. __________________ *Part II, Aust. J. Agric. Res., 29: 395 (1978).

Ecology of the cattle tick (Boophilus microplus) in subtropical Australia. I. Introduction and free-living stages

1988 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 285 ◽  
Author(s):  
RW Sutherst ◽  
ID Sutherland ◽  
AS Bourne ◽  
GF Maywald ◽  
DA Stegeman
Keyword(s):  
Host Resistance ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Boophilus Microplus ◽  
Cattle Tick ◽  
Climatic Effects ◽  
Free Living ◽  
Tick Reproduction ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Tick Resistance ◽  
Subtropical Australia

An experiment is described which compared the fluctuations in the numbers of cattle tick, Boophilus miicroplus, that resulted from direct climatic effects or from changes in host resistance. Four herds of cattle, matched for tick resistance and with different Bos indicus (zebu) content, were grazed at each of two locations, one in central Queensland (23� S.) and one in southern Queensland (28� S.), from November 1977 to May 1982. Natural tick populations were counted regularly, and host resistance was measured using artificial infestations, either twice or six times a year. Concurrent exposures of engorged ticks in pastures were used to measure the success of the ticks in producing larvae and to partition mortality during development. Two later papers report other aspccts of the experiment. These include observations on the resistance of cattle to ticks and on the relationship between tick numbers on the cattle on one hand, and the availability of larvae on pasture and survival of parasitic stages on the other. Engorged ticks produced more larvae throughout the year in central Queensland, despite laying fewer eggs. The colder and longer winter in southern Queensland greatly reduced tick reproduction. Failure of engorged ticks to survive predation and find a favourable oviposition site, egg mortality and loss of larvae in the pasture accounted for most of the reduction in the potential number of larvae produced. Reduced oviposition was also important in wintcr.

Host resistance to cattle tick (Boophilus microplus) in Brahman (Bos indicus) cattle. IV.* Ages of ticks rejected

1979 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 211 ◽  
Author(s):  
BM Wagland
Keyword(s):  
Caustic Soda ◽  
Host Resistance ◽  
Final Stage ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Boophilus Microplus ◽  
Cattle Tick ◽  
Stages Of Development ◽  
Different Levels

The stages of development of Boophilus microplus against which Brahman (Bos indicus) cattle manifest resistance were investigated by analysing the age distributions of ticks in populations on five steers showing different levels of resistance. The populations of ticks were established by infesting the steers each day with 1000 larvae, until each animal yielded a relatively stable number of engorged female ticks daily. The ticks were recovered by killing the steers and processing their hides in hot caustic soda. Ticks were allocated to age categories on the basis of their lengths. Analyses of the age distributions showed that between 36 and 80% of larvae were rejected in the first 24 h, and losses were greater from hosts with high levels of resistance. Some newly moulted nymphs failed to establish and were lost, and the growth of newly moulted females was retarded but most engorged successfully. The results also indicated that significant numbers of larvae and nymphs were lost either during the final stage of engorgement or after they had engorged. These findings are compared with losses of the tick from European (B. taurus) cattle. __________________ * Part III, Aust. J. Agric. Res., 29: 401 (1978).

Ecology of the cattle tick (Boophilus microplus) in subtropical Australia. II. Resistance of different breeds of cattle

1988 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 299 ◽  
Author(s):  
RW Sutherst ◽  
GF Maywald ◽  
AS Bourne ◽  
ID Sutherland ◽  
DA Stegeman
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Model ◽  
Seasonal Cycle ◽  
Tick Infestation ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Boophilus Microplus ◽  
Cattle Tick ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Nutritional Conditions ◽  
Cattle Ticks ◽  
Subtropical Australia

The resistance to the cattle tick, Boophilus mircoplus, of four herds of cattle with different Bos indicus (zebu) content, grazed at each of two locations in the subtropics of Queensland, Australia, was measured using artificial tick infestations at intervals of either 2 or 6 months over periods of up to 4 years. The factors affecting resistance of crossbred herds at each location in order of decreasing importance were the proportion of R. indicus genes, lactation, age interacting with nutritional conditions, a seasonal cycle which differed in timing at the two locations, and rainfall during the week of tick infestation. These variables accounted for 62% of the observed variation and the statistical model explained concurrent changes in resistance of other herds equally well. These findings are combined with data on the survival of freeliving stages of the ticks in a later paper to explain the observed variation in populations of cattle ticks on the untreated herds when grazing in separate pastures.

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