Boophilus spp.

Boophilus spp.
Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Arthropoda
Class	Arachnida
Sub-class	Acari
Super-order	Parasitiformes
Order	Ixodida
Super-family	Ixodoidea
Family	Ixodidae
Genus	Boophilus
Species	B. annulatus, B. microplus

Introduction

These species are important due to their ability to transmit Babesia spp. and Anaplasma marginale in cattle. They exist in tropical and subtropical climates and so are predominately found in Asia, Africa, central America and northern Australia. There are several important veterinary species, all of which are one host ticks and are mainly important in cattle though they can be seen in most ungulates.

Boophilus annulatus

Also known as: Blue cattle tick — Texas cattle fever tick

The entire life cycle of this tick is spent on a single host and can be completed in just 6 weeks. It is an important species as it is a vector for Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis that are responsible for texas cattle fever. As well as its ability to transmit Anaplasma marginale like many other tropical hard ticks.