PREVALENCE OF IXODIDAE TICKS IN BOVINE AND THEIR ACARICIDE EFFICACY TEST IN SELECTED WOREDAS OF GEDEO ZONE, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

A cross-sectional and experimental study were conducted from November 2019 to June 2020 in three purposefully selected Woredas (Yigacheffe, Wonago and Dilla zuria) of Gedeo Zone, Southern Region of Ethiopia. The objectives of the study were to identify the prevalence of hard tick infestation to identify the predominant tick species prevalent and assess efficacy of acaricide in the study areas. A total of 845 cattle (comprising 648 local and 197 cross breeds) were randomly selected and examined for the presence of Ixodid ticks infestation. Out of the total examined animals, 529 (62.6 %) were found infested with one or more tick species. Four genera of ticks: Amblyomma, Boophilus (recently Rhipicephalus), Rhipicephalus and Hyalomma were identified. From 3865 of tick Amblyomma was the most dominant tick genera 48.98 % while Rhipicephalus 12.47% was the least recorded genera in the study areas. Within the tick species identified, A. variegatum was the most abundant tick species encountered 26.9% followed by A. gemma 22.0%, Rh. (Boophilus) decoloratus 21.4%, Rh. e. evertsi 9.1%, H. trancatum7.6%, H. anatolicum 5.8%, H. marginatum rufipes 3.8% and Rh. pulchellus 3.4%. However, in highland 61.34% and in lowland 66.21% tick infestations were recorded. The overall A. variegatum prevalence in relation with agroecology was significantly higher in highland than lowland areas (P =0.004). The sex-wise prevalence of tick species infestation were statistically significant in H .marginatum rufipes (P =0.009), H. trancatum (P=0.016). Tick infestation in association with age category were significant (P =0.000) whereas, body condition score of significantly (P < 0.05) associated factors with tick infestation in cattle. Adult immersing test to diazinon and amitraz was tested in the laboratory. Total 870 (Eight hundred and Seventy) adult ticks were included for diazinon and amitraz efficacy trial. The percentage mortality of cattle ticks due to diazinon and ametriz Acaricidees after 24 hrs. H. anatolicum, R. e. evertsi. Rh. (B).decoloratus species were susceptible to diazinon and amitraz with 100% mortality. The average control mortality to diazinon and ametriz was (9.4%) and (7.1%) respectively. Therefore,the higher occurrence of different species of ticks in lowland and highland agroecologies as well in local breed cattle. So, uses of the two Acaricidees control measures are necessary against economically more important tick species.