Domestic dogs as hosts of the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus

Abstract

Larval B. microplus were placed on 36 domestic dogs, about half of which were adults and half were puppies. Ticks matured on the adults only. The yield of adult female ticks was very low and variable (average for all dogs, 0.01%); more time was needed to mature than on cattle, and size and egg production were reduced. Most of the resulting larvae matured successfully when placed on cattle. No ticks matured on the small number of young foxes and dingoes which were tested. It is suggested that the unconsidered presence of dogs represents some risk to the success of campaigns to eradicate this tick.