The cattle tick

Abstract

The cattle tick, Boophilus microplus, is one of several species of ticks found on animals in Papua New Guinea. It is primarily a parasite of cattle, although it is also frequently found on rusa deer (Cervus timorensis) and has been found on goats, horses, pigs and dogs. It is widespread in the tropics, extending from South Africa, through East Africa to India and eastwards into Indonesia, the island of New Guinea, Australia and on the other side of the Pacific Ocean in Mexico, Central and South America and the West Indies.