SITES OF ATTACHMENT AND DENSITY ASSESSMENT OF FEMALE IXODES-RICINUS (ACARI, IXODIDAE) ON DAIRY-COWS

A sample of 110 lactating dairy cows was examined to describe the atta chment sites of female Ixodes ricinus ticks and to assess whether coun ts on one or two body areas can predict infestation and its level. Sev enty per cent of the cows were infested by I. ricinus and the average tick burden on the infested cows was 15, ranging from 1 to 136. Prefer red attachment sites were the axilla, udder/groin, neck, dewlap and fl ank. Udder/groin and axilla carryied respectively 35.3% and 44.1% of t he total tick burden. To predict infestation (yes/no), sensitivity of counts on axilla, on udder/groin and on both areas was respectively, 7 6.6%, 80.6% and 94.8%. Total burden prediction equations based on coun t on axilla and udder/groin are presented.