Prevalence and seasonal variation in ixodid ticks on cattle of Mathura district, Uttar Pradesh.

Considering the economic impact of various ticks species on livestock, the present study was conducted for epidemiological characterize of common ticks infesting Indian zebu cattle between July 2010 and June 2011 period at various locations of Mathura region of India. A total of 2,515 zebu cattle were examined on random basis throughout the year. The overall prevalence of ticks infestation in cattle was 60.07 %. The highest prevalence was reported in September (75 %) while the lowest was in January (46.07 %). On seasonal investigation highest tick infestation was found in rainy season (69.46 %), followed by summer (62.55 %) while lowest in the winter (47.96 %). Overall highest percentage of tick infestations was noticed in the group I animals of less than 1 year age (80.21 %) followed by group II animals of age between 1 and 3 years (68.48 %) and lowest in group III animals of age greater than 3 years (44.85 %). On the basis of morphological studies, two species of ticks were identified namely Boophilus microplus and Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum. The most common feeding sites for adult ticks were neck, axilla, belly, groin, udder, perineal regions and tail.