Distribution of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (Acari: Ixodidae) infestations detected in the United States along the Texas/Mexico border.

Abstract

Species identification and global positioning system coordinates of infestations of cattle fever ticks, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (Say) and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini), were determined for 790 specimens submitted to the National Veterinary Services Laboratory between 1 October 1999 and 30 September 2010. Cattle fever tick specimens obtained by personnel of the United States Department of Agriculture-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service-Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program from infested cattle and wildlife along the Texas/ Mexico border were submitted for identification, as required by the program. A geographic information system database was developed that incorporates location, collection, and infestation records. Submitted ticks came from 11 Texas counties and were comprised of 19.5% R. (B.) annulatus and 80.5% R. (B.) microplus. Maps produced from this study locate and define the parapatric boundary between R. (B.) annulatus and R. (B.) microplus.