Survey of cattle tick species and burden in Adamitulu Jido Kombolcha Woreda, Oromia region, Ethiopia

The major tick species and predilection sites in animals at Adamitulu Jido Kombolcha Woreda, Oromia regional state was studied over a period of four months (November 2015 to March 2016). A total of 4857 adult ticks were collected from 384 cattle of which 1740 (35.8%) were Rhipicephalus evertsi followed by Amblyomma variegatum (23.9%), Boophilus decoloratus (16.9%) Hyalomma marginatum (13.2%) and Amblyomma coherence (10.06%). There was significant difference in the relative occurrence of tick species during the four month study (P<0.05). The prevalence was significantly (P<0.05) higher in cattle with poor body condition than those with good body condition. The infestation level on sex was insignificant (P>0.05). As to age and infestation, there was also a statistically significance difference (P<0.05) wherein adults were highly infested. Results also indicated that each tick species preferred a particular site of attachment on the animal body. The most common body part infested was udderscrotum (31.8%) followed by ano-vulvar region (21.9%), perineum (16.2%) and brisket (7.9%). In general, due to its relative abundance, activity throughout the year (as vector and mechanical damage to hide and skin), R. evertsi was the most important tick species in this area followed by A. variegatum, R. (Boophilus) decoloratus, H. marginatum and A. coherence. Hence, timing of tick control program could be more successful if practiced according to seasonal pattern of species and population dynamics and during hand spraying of cattle special attention shall be given to the udder-scrotum regions and other preferable sites of attachment.