Investigating the effects of temporal and vegetation factors on cattle fever tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus questing patterns

Authors: HERNANDEZ, ALONDRA - University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley; Maestas, Lauren; Zavala, Manuel; MAESTAS, SARAH - University Of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Submitted to: Undergraduate Research Symposium
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/2/2024
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Cattle Fever Ticks (CFT), pose significant threats to cattle health by serving as transmitters for bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis, economically important diseases of cattle. To better our understanding of CFT and optimize monitoring efforts, we designed a study to examine the effects of time and habitat on the number of CFT larvae counted weekly during sampling. Tick collections were carried out during morning and afternoon sessions, weekly in plots artificially infested with ~5,000 lab-reared susceptible CFT larvae. Two habitat types, buffelgrass and mesquite, were sampled. This approach aims to assess the effect of temporal and habitat variations on CFT abundance, considering potential fluctuations linked to temperature and time of day. One half of each 2m2 plot was sampled with a 1m2 drag cloth at each sampling time point. For the successive afternoon sampling time, the remaining half of the plot was sampled. Statistical analysis revealed effects of habitat type, time of day, temperature, and humidity on questing tick counts. Mean tick counts were higher in plots dominated by buffelgrass than in plots containing mesquite. Mean tick counts were lower during the afternoon sampling than in the morning sampling. Both humidity and temperature had a negative influence on questing tick counts during sampling sessions.

Technical Abstract: Cattle Fever Ticks (CFT), specifically Rhipecephalus (Boophilus) microplus, pose significant threats to cattle health by serving as vectors for bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis. To enhance our understanding of CFT dynamics and optimize monitoring efforts, we carried out a study to examine the effects of temporal and habitat variables on questing abundance of larval CFT. Tick collections were carried out at two timepoints (morning and afternoon) weekly in plots artificially infested with ~5,000 lab-reared CFT larvae. Two habitat types, buffelgrass and mesquite, were sampled. This approach aims to assess the effect of temporal and habitat variations in CFT abundance, considering potential fluctuations linked to temperature and time of day. One half of each 2m2 plot was sampled with a 1m2 drag cloth at each sampling time point. For the successive afternoon sampling time, the remaining half of the plot was sampled. Statistical analysis revealed a significant effect of habitat type, time of day, temperature, and humidity on questing tick abundance. Mean tick abundance was higher in plots dominated by buffelgrass than in plots containing mesquite. Mean tick abundance was lower during the afternoon sampling than in the morning sampling. Both humidity and temperature exerted a negative influence on questing tick abundance.