Prevalence of ixodid ticks in Nilgiri district of Tamil Nadu state (India).

The Nilgiri hills provides favourable ecological conditions for the propagation of haematophagous arthropods due to its richness in vegetation and animal fauna. A study was undertaken by the NICD during August to November 1996 on the prevalence of ectoparasitic ticks from different localities of the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu state. The ticks were hand picked from various domestic animals of the study area and identified. A total of 1232 adults and immatures of ticks were collected from domestic animals which comprised of the various species in the order of abundance Boophilus microplus, Haemaphysalis bispinosa, Riphicephalus haemaphysaloides and Riphicephalus sanguineus. Studies carried out in the grass lands, meadows and areas adjoining to tea plantations by flagging method revealed mainly immature stages and few adults of Riphicephalus Spp. and Haemaphysalis Spp. The public health importance of the above species have been discussed.