Ticks () infestation on cattle in various regions in Indonesia.

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Ticks () not only cause blood loss in cattle but also serve as vectors for various diseases, thus causing direct and indirect losses. Moreover, tick infestation can cause significant economic losses. This study aimed to identify the diverse species of ticks infesting cattle in five different regions in Indonesia.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Tick specimens were obtained from local cattle in five different areas in Indonesia. The morphology of the specimens was macroscopically and microscopically evaluated, and the resulting data were descriptively and qualitatively analyzed.

RESULTS

In total, 1575 ticks were successfully collected from 26 animals. In total, two genera and three species, namely, , , and , were identified. The cattle in Yogyakarta and Riau were infested by , while the cattle in Sukabumi, Bali, and Lombok were infested by and . The level of infestation varied among regions, with being the most commonly found species.

CONCLUSION

The results of this study revealed that cattle in different regions of Indonesia were infested by variable numbers of tick species. In particular, the cattle in Yogyakarta and Riau were solely infested by ; this is a new finding in terms of the distribution of tick species in the country. Increased tick infestation in cattle decreases productivity and causes health problems; therefore, it deserves serious attention. Our findings can help in the formulation of an effective strategy for controlling and preventing cattle tick infestation in the country.