This species is considered the most serious external parasites of Australian cattle, though they also affect cattle accross the southern hemisphere and the southern states of the USA. It is able to complete its life cycle in just 2 months under optimal conditions and lay 2000 - 3000 eggs during this time. It is important in its ability to act as a vector for ''[[Babesia]] bigemina'', ''Borrelia theileri'' in South America and in Australia of ''[[Coxiella burnetti]]'' and ''[[Anaplasma marginale]]''. These organisms can be passed down for up to 5 generations of ticks regardless of the hosts on which they feed as they can be passed transovarially between generations. | This species is considered the most serious external parasites of Australian cattle, though they also affect cattle accross the southern hemisphere and the southern states of the USA. It is able to complete its life cycle in just 2 months under optimal conditions and lay 2000 - 3000 eggs during this time. It is important in its ability to act as a vector for ''[[Babesia]] bigemina'', ''Borrelia theileri'' in South America and in Australia of ''[[Coxiella burnetti]]'' and ''[[Anaplasma marginale]]''. These organisms can be passed down for up to 5 generations of ticks regardless of the hosts on which they feed as they can be passed transovarially between generations. |