Importance of ticks
Tick Overview
Ticks are parasites that feed on the blood of animals and belong to the arthropod group. They are distributed worldwide, from tropical to subarctic regions.
To complete their life cycle, they require a host to feed on. These hosts can be mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, and, in some cases, humans. The vast majority of ticks have a preference for a specific species, although they can parasitize others.
Fourie, J.J., Liebenberg, J.E., Nyangiwe, N. et al. The Effects of a Pour-on Formulation of Fluazuron 2.5 % and Flumethrin 1 % on Populations of Rhipicephalus decoloratus and Rhipicephalus microplus Both on and off Bovine (Bonsmara Breed) Hosts. Parasitol Res 112 (Suppl 1), 67–79 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-013-3282-x
Life cycle
Ticks go through three stages of development: larva, nymph, and adult. Adult ticks reproduce, and female ticks descend from animals to lay their eggs in the environment. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae must find a host to climb onto to continue their life cycle. Some tick larvae can survive up to 20 weeks without feeding while they find a host. Ticks can be classified according to the number of hosts they parasitize to complete their life cycle. There are single-host ticks, which undergo all three stages on the same animal. There are also triple-host ticks, which, after feeding, move off the animal, molt, and transform into their next stage.
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Ticks as disease vectors
Ticks, by feeding on the blood of animals and people, are capable of transmitting a wide range of diseases, some of them fatal. Some diseases require a tick bite to be transmitted and cause illness. Ticks are considered the second most important vector worldwide, behind mosquitoes. This is defined by their ability to transmit diseases or cause harm directly through their bite. Sixteen tick-borne diseases have been described that affect humans and more than 19 diseases that can be transmitted to animals.
Distribution of ticks in Mexico
Nearly 100 species of ticks have been identified in Mexico, affecting various domestic and wild species.
Among these species, those that primarily affect cattle are Rhipicephalus microplus , Rhipicephalus annulatus , and Amblyomma mixtum . These ticks are widely distributed throughout the country, with an estimated 70% of the national cattle population at risk of being bitten by one of these ticks. On the other hand, the main species of tick that affects dogs is the species Rhipicephalus sanguineus , better known as the brown dog tick.