An Epidemiological Survey of Ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) Infesting Cattle in the Eastern Free State Province of South Africa: Attachment Preferences

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Ticks were collected from cattle and their attachment preferences determined. The preferred site of attachment for Boophilus decoloratus was the neck, abdomen and inguineum. Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi ticks attached predominantly to the perineal and inguinal areas. The other three tick species, Rhipicephalus follis, Rhipicephalus gertrudae and Rhipicephalus punctatus showed very similar sites of attachment, with most ticks preferring the neck and inguineum. Rhipicephalus follis and R. gertrudae was also found to prefer the tail area. The differences in attachment preferences should be considered when resource-poor farmers intend using acaricides sparingly in tick management and control.