TICK INFESTATIONS OF LIVESTOCK IN INDIA AND THEIR CONTROL

A situation report on the Ixodoidea infesting livestock in India is presented. Of the nearly 120 tick species known from this country, information regarding the hosts and distribution of 46 ixodid species belonging to eight genera and six argasid species belonging to three genera, parasitizing livestock has been provided. The ecology and disease relationship of the economically more important species have been reviewed. Notwithstanding the rich tick fauna, the native cattle seldom carry excessive tick burdens. Control is greatly facilitated by the high degree of natural resistance possessed by indigenous cattle, zebu. Chemical acaricides are the main component of control strategies which are largely aimed at protecting the at-risk exotic and crossbred animals from ticks and the diseases transmitted by them. Exploitation of immunity and possibly some biological control may be integrated with the use of chemicals in future.