The Seasonal Incidence of Ixodes ricinus (L.) on Cattle in mid-Wales

Abstract

An investigation of the seasonal incidence of I. ricinus on cattle in N.W. Cardigani shire showed that there are normally two peaks of activity, one occurring in spring and the other in autumn. The infestation curve varied considerably from farm to farm according to the husbandry methods practised. Delayed stocking of infested pastures caused an initial higher infestation of the cattle but, except on one farm, did not prolong the infestation beyond the normal period of tick activity. A lower infestation in spring than in autumn occurred on two farms. This resulted from either the lighter stocking of the infested grazings in spring than in autumn or the partial exhaustion of unfed tick population by sheep grazing with the cattle during the spring only.There was no evidence for the occurrence of a unimodal curve of tick activity in the region studied.