Identification of some of the host-derived attractant Compounds for adult tick, rhipicephalus appendiculatus from Cattle ears.

Abstract

Control of ticks and tick-borne diseases is of paramount importance to the development and sustanability of the livestock industry in Africa. It is especially essential to control the brown ear tick, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Neumann, which is the field vector of Theileria parva causing East coast fever (ECF). One infected tick of this species feeding on a susceptible animal for 24 hours can transmit ECF, which often is fatal to cattle. The conventional method of controlling tick infestation in Africa is by the application of acaricides, either by immersion of cattle in dip tanks, running them through spray races or by hand spraying or dressing. These procedures are in one way or another expensive, time-consuming, not always effective and can reduce productivity of the cattle and like any other chemical, pollutes the environment..........................