Habitat use by cattle affects host contact with lone star ticks (Acari: Ixodidae).

The location of Zebu, British, and Zebu x British cattle in tick-infested plots from March through September 1986 was compared with the location of Amblyomma americanum L. in the same plots. In April, May, and June, Zebu cattle spent less time (9.3-19.4%) in tick-infested quadrats than British (44.4-63.9%) or Zebu-British (49.0-69.3%) cattle. In the same months, the probability that A. americanum would contact Zebu cattle (1.5-19.6%) was significantly lower than for British (34.7-41.7%) or Zebu-British (30.2-56.9%) cattle. In April, May, June, and September, the probability that A. americanum detaching from cattle would drop into a quadrat presumed to be habitable for ticks was significantly lower for Zebu cattle (4.0-29.9%) than for British (64.9-72.6%) or Zebu-British (48.1-78.7%) cattle.