SURVEY OF TICKS INFESTING DOMESTIC RUMINANTS IN SOUTH WOLLO REGION OFETHIOPIA

A survey of ticks of domestic ruminants was carried out in three diffe rent climatic zones in South Wollo region of Ethiopia. A total of 14 3 72 ticks belonging to five Ixodid genera namely Amblyomma (60.43 %), B oophilus (8.36 %), Rhipicephalus (22.84 %), Hyalomma (8.32 %) and Haem aphysalis (0.05 %) were identified from 550 animals. Significant diffe rence (P < 0.05) in tick infestation prevalence was noted among specie s of animals and between cattle of varied climatic zones. Ticks and ti ckborne diseases are major problems in South Wollo region mainly after the on set of the short rainy season. The obtained low prevalence rat e of tickborne diseases may suggest the status of enzootic stability p revailing in the area. Discussion of results was made in comparision w ith previous works conducted in eastern Africa in general and in Ethio pia in particular.