A COMPARISON OF IXODES RUBICUNDUS (ACARI, IXODIDAE) INFESTATIONS ON FRIESIAN AND BONSMARA CATTLE IN SOUTH-AFRICA

This study was conducted to compare the relative resistance of crossbr ed Bos indicus X B. taurus Bonsmara and B. taurus Friesian cattle to I xodes rubicundus (Karoo paralysis tick) infestations. During periods o f peak abundance of the ticks, Friesian oxen harboured almost twice or more than twice as many ticks as either Bonsmara oxen or cows. During periods of low tick abundance tick burdens on both cattle breeds were closely similar. It is envisaged that cattle can play an important ro le in an integrated control strategy against the Karoo paralysis tick.