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Abstract

Two field experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of Rusa deer in the development of the cattle tick Boaphilus microplus in comparison with that of steers in the same pastures and under the same conditions of infestation. No difference was noted between a mixed steer/deer herd and a pure steer or pure deer herd in the infestation pattern of each host, suggesting that attachment to the alternative host is mechanical and not affected by the simultaneous presence of the primary host on the pasture. Deer are capable of producing engorged viable females, with weight and reproductive performances similar to or even better than females fed on steers. For moderate levels (1 million larvae per hectare) and high levels (32 million larvae per hectare) of pasture infestation, tick burdens on steers were not very different (e.g. average 1,911 and 2,681 ticks per m2 skin, respectively, on day 24). This may be because of saturation of steer skin sites at the moderate larval dose. Deer harboured 2.7-33 times fewer ticks than steers and produce no engorged females at the moderate larval level and 32 times fewer engorged females than steers at the high larval level. Infestation of deer was dose-dependent with averages of 12 and 399 ticks per m2 skin on day 25 at the moderate and high larval levels, respectively. At a high infestation level of the environment, Rusa deer may contribute, but to a limited extent, to infestation of pastures and, consequently, of cattle. However, their role in sustaining a viable tick population requires further investigation.

Integrated Strategy for Sustainable Cattle Fever Tick Eradication in USA is Required to Mitigate the Impact of Global Change

“…However, new parasitic relationships have evolved as CFT invaded various parts of the world. Non-bovine hosts of these parasites include buffalo, ox, horse, mule, donkey, sheep, goat, dog, swine, antelope, and several species of deer (Cooley, 1946; Barré et al, 2001; Ghosh et al, 2007; Cançado et al, 2009; Pound et al, 2010). Ticks spend most of their life in the environment off the host in the egg and larval stages (Figure 4), a period that may last 6–9 months depending on microclimates produced by vegetation communities and rainfall (Newell and Daugherty, 1906; Cotton and Voorhees, 1911; Graybill, 1911).…”

La tique du bétail en Nouvelle-Calédonie : synthèse sur 75 ans de présence et 60 ans de recherche. Une histoire locale pour un enseignement global

“…Différentes études ont été menées pour savoir si les cervidés pouvaient maintenir et disséminer la tique dans les élevages bovins. En effet, 73 % des 148 éleveurs interrogés lors d'une enquête menée au début des années 2000 ont observé régulièrement des cerfs dans les pâturages destinés aux bovins (Barré et al, 2001).…”

“…Dans une première étude, Barré et al (2001) concluent que les cerfs peuvent maintenir des populations de tiques dans un pâturage. Les tiques se fixent sur les cerfs et peuvent y accomplir la phase parasitaire de leur cycle avec des performances de reproduction similaires voire supérieures aux tiques nourries sur des bovins.…”

“…Ces derniers avaient 3,5 fois plus de tiques et ont nécessité cinq traitements acaricides. Barré et al (2001). Il peut être envisagé que les tiques observées sur les cerfs par ces auteurs étaient issues de cette souspopulation différenciée.…”