Natural attraction of livestock ticks by the leaves of a shrub.

During examination of leaves of different plants on Rusinga Island, Kenya, ticks were commonly found on the leaves of a plant identified as Acalypha fruticosa Forsk. var. villosa Hutch (Euphorbiaceae). Larvae of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus were the predominant ticks encountered, found quiescent on the undersurface of the leaves. Laboratory investigations showed that significant numbers of ticks were attracted by odours from this plant. It was concluded that the leaves of A. fruticosa are attractive to this tick and have potential for use as a trap to control ticks.