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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Pullman, Washington » Animal Disease Research Unit » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #419954
Research Project: Control Strategies for Bovine Babesiosis

Location: Animal Disease Research Unit

Title: Rhipicephalus microplus (Southern cattle tick; Asian blue tick)

Author
item Oyen, Kennan
item Poh, Karen

Submitted to: Trends in Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/13/2024
Publication Date: 12/5/2024
Citation: Oyen, K.J., Poh, K.C. 2024. Rhipicephalus microplus (Southern cattle tick; Asian blue tick). Trends in Parasitology. 68-69. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2024.11.004.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pt.2024.11.004

Interpretive Summary: Rhipicephalus microplus threatens the global agricultural economy due to its ability to cause direct harm to the health of livestock and horses and ability to transmit pathogens that cause diseases in these animals. They are one-host ticks, meaning they take three consecutive bloodmeals on one host. Control of R. microplus can be challenging, particularly with mounting resistance and the presence of wildlife serving as alternative hosts for the tick. Furthermore, changes in global trade and climate change has allowed this tick to enter new areas, bringing pathogens to naive populations. This profile summarizes current knowledge on the life cycle, associated pathogens, and control of R. microplus.

Technical Abstract: Rhipicephalus microplus (formerly Boophilus microplus) is an economically important pest of livestock in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. As a one-host tick, R. microplus primarily feeds on cattle and other bovids, but has been found to feed on other domestic animals and wildlife. Because these ticks take three consecutive bloodmeals on a single host, heavy infestations on one animal can lead to decreased livestock productivity. Rhipicephalus microplus transmits numerous pathogens that cause disease in livestock and horses, including bovine babesiosis, bovine anaplasmosis, and equine piroplasmosis. Integrative control of R. microplus can include acaricides, vaccinations, and pasture vacation, but resistance to acaricides and vaccines and the presence of wildlife can complicate these efforts. Increases in global trade and climate change has allowed the tick to expand its range into new territories. As the tick continues to spread, so does the risk of pathogen transmission.