The scrub hare, a reliable indicator of the presence of Hyalomma ticks in the Cape Province.

The host preferences of immature and adult Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, Hyalomma marginatum turanicum and Hyalomma truncatum were studied at various localities in the Cape Province. The immature stages of all 3 ticks preferred scrub hares (Lepus saxatilis) as hosts and were recovered from these animals even when few adult ticks were present on large herbivores in the locality. Ground-frequenting birds were also infested, but only with immature H. marginatum rufipes and H. marginatum turanicum. Some small rodents were also infested but only with the immature stages of H. truncatum. The adult ticks preferred Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra), eland (Taurotragus oryx) and cattle. The immature stages of H. marginatum rufipes were most abundant on scrub hares from February to August. Too few adult ticks of this species were recovered to determine their seasonal abundance. The immature stages of H. marginatum turanicum were most abundant on scrub hares during the winter months and the adults were most abundant on scrub hares during the winter months and the adults were most abundant on Cape mountain zebra and eland during summer. Immature H. truncatum were most abundant on scrub hares during February and May, while peak adult burdens were found on zebra and eland during February, August, November and December.