Ruqayyah Snyder
Cattle ticks (Rhipicephalus australis, previously known as Boophilus microplus) are found in northern Australia, from the northern parts of Western Australia and the Northern Territory, to the eastern and northern regions of Queensland and into northern New South Wales. They are a vector for tick fever, a disease caused by the blood parasites Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bovis and Babesia bigemina. Cattle ticks are the most economically important tick affecting livestock in Australia, costing the industry an estimated $134.2 million per year.
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What You'll Learn
- Cattle ticks are found in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia
- The paralysis tick is found in coastal eastern Australia
- The bush tick is found in sub-tropical regions and some temperate areas
- The scrub tick is found in Western Australia and eastern Victoria
- The wallaby tick is found in the east coast and Victoria
Cattle ticks are found in Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia
Cattle ticks (Rhipicephalus australis, previously known as Boophilus microplus) are found in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. They are the most economically impactful tick in Australia, costing the cattle industry approximately $134.2 million per year in lost production and treatment costs.
Cattle ticks are endemic to the northern regions of Australia, including the northern parts of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and eastern and northern Queensland. They are a significant parasite affecting cattle in these areas, with European breeds of cattle being the most susceptible. The highest numbers of ticks occur in late spring and summer, but they lay viable eggs all year round in northern Queensland.
In Queensland, the distribution of cattle ticks is limited by legislative restriction zones, which declare areas as either tick-infested or tick-free. Any cattle ticks found outside the designated infested zone must be reported to Biosecurity Queensland. Cattle moved from the infested zone to the tick-free zone must be tick-free and accompanied by a biosecurity certificate.
Cattle ticks are a vector for tick fever, a disease caused by the blood parasites Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bovis, and Babesia bigemina. They can cause substantial welfare implications and economic losses due to "tick worry," a state of unease and stress in affected cattle. Cattle can suffer from anemia and exhibit symptoms such as lethargy, lack of appetite, and exercise intolerance, which can ultimately lead to death.
In addition to cattle ticks, other types of ticks found in Queensland and other parts of Australia include the paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus), the bush tick, and the wallaby tick (Haemaphysalis bancrofti). These ticks can also affect livestock and transmit diseases, making them a concern for the livestock industry in addition to cattle ticks.
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The paralysis tick is found in coastal eastern Australia
The paralysis tick, also known as Ixodes holocyclus, is found in coastal eastern Australia. It is native to Australia and is known to cause paralysis in its hosts by secreting a toxin in its saliva. This toxin affects the nervous system of the host animal, resulting in loss of coordination and, in some cases, death. The paralysis tick has a three-host life cycle, meaning that after each of the three parasitic phases (larvae, nymphs, and adults), the tick drops off the host to moult and find a new host. It is primarily found in coastal areas, with its distribution extending from near Cooktown in far north Queensland to Lakes Entrance in Victoria. In certain places, it has been found more than 100 km inland, particularly in areas with moist escarpments and ranges such as the Bunya Mountains of Queensland and the Lower Blue Mountains of New South Wales.
The paralysis tick primarily affects small animals such as calves, sheep, goats, and dogs, as they are more vulnerable than fully grown cattle. It is also known to attach to livestock, domestic pets, and humans, causing ascending paralysis, recumbency, breathing difficulties, and potential death if left untreated. The clinical presentation of paralysis tick bites in humans includes lethargy, weakness, unsteadiness of gait, loss of appetite, dilated pupils, ascending symmetrical paralysis, slurred speech, and depressed deep-tendon and gag reflexes. Children are particularly susceptible to paralysis ticks, as they may not communicate that they have been bitten, allowing the tick to feed for several days and increasing the likelihood of paralysis.
The prevention and control of paralysis ticks can be challenging due to their short attachment period to the host and their abundance in the environment. While chemical products are available for paralysis tick control, they are often labour-intensive to apply and offer only short periods of protection. Additionally, there is an Australia-wide shortage of paralysis tick anti-serum due to increased demand and limited manufacturing capacity.
The paralysis tick is of significant concern in the Australian cattle industry, with an estimated annual on-farm cost of ticks (including production losses and control costs) of approximately $146 million in 2015. The cattle tick (Rhipicephalus australis), previously known as Boophilus microplus, is another important tick species affecting livestock in Australia. It is endemic to Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia, with the highest numbers occurring in late spring and summer.
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![The Australian Tick (Boophilus Australis Fuller) in the Philippine Islands 1904 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/617DLHXyzlL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
The bush tick is found in sub-tropical regions and some temperate areas
The bush tick, also known as Haemaphysalis longicornis, is found in various regions of Australia. It is prevalent in subtropical regions and some temperate areas with summer rainfall. The main endemic zone for bush ticks in Australia is a relatively narrow coastal strip extending from southern Queensland to the north coast of New South Wales. They may also be found up to 100 kilometres inland.
In Western Australia, a small area of bush tick infestation has been observed in the Walpole-Denmark district on the far south coast since the mid-1980s. This region stands out as an exception, as the more concerning presence of cattle ticks is typically observed in Queensland. Bush ticks are generally the predominant tick species found on cattle in large numbers outside of Queensland.
The bush tick is known to infest various livestock species, including cattle, deer, sheep, and pigs. They also parasitize other warm-blooded animals, such as dogs, horses, and even humans. The immature stages of bush ticks have been reported on birds as well. This tick species is of economic importance, particularly in the Australian cattle industry, with annual costs estimated at approximately $146 million due to production losses and control measures.
Cattle ticks, or Rhipicephalus australis (previously known as Boophilus microplus), are primarily parasites of cattle in northern Australia, with European breeds being the most susceptible. They are endemic in higher rainfall areas and are typically found in a broad band along the northern Australian coast, from north-eastern Western Australia to the eastern border between Queensland and New South Wales.
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The scrub tick is found in Western Australia and eastern Victoria
Cattle ticks are a vector (carrier) for tick fever, a disease caused by the blood parasites Anaplasma marginale, Babesia bovis, and Babesia bigemina. They are most commonly found in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. However, they can also be found in New South Wales and Victoria.
The scrub tick (Ixodes australiensis) is one of the many types of ticks found in Australia. It is regularly found on cattle in Western Australia and eastern Victoria. The scrub tick has a 3-host life cycle, and its preferred hosts are Australian wildlife, including the Western Grey Kangaroo, Bettong, Quokka, and Potoroo. This tick can tolerate hot environments, and while it is not often seen in large numbers on cattle, small numbers may be present.
The scrub tick is not the only type of tick found in Western Australia and Victoria. The bush tick, for example, is found in Western Australia in the Walpole-Denmark district on the far south coast. It is also found in Victoria, particularly in Gippsland and inland in Albury-Wodonga. The paralysis tick (Ixodes holocyclus), which is native to Australia and has a toxin in its saliva that can cause paralysis, is also found in both Western Australia and Victoria. This tick is commonly found in coastal areas of eastern Australia, particularly in Victoria, where it has been identified in Melbourne, the Lower Blue Mountains, and Lakes Entrance.
The wallaby tick is another tick that can be found in both Western Australia and Victoria, although its distribution is not well-known. Most records of this tick are from the east coast and Victoria. The bandicoot tick, which is also a vector of the Theileria parasite, has been found in Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, and New South Wales.
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The wallaby tick is found in the east coast and Victoria
The wallaby tick, also known as the ornate kangaroo tick, is a small 3-host tick. Its scientific name is Amblyomma triguttatum. This tick is found primarily on wallabies and kangaroos but can also be found on cattle.
Little is known about the distribution of the wallaby tick, but most records are from the east coast and Victoria. Larvae, nymphs, and adults are present all year round, suggesting more than one life cycle per year is possible. The tick can be a vector of the Theileria parasite, which infects and destroys red blood cells.
The wallaby tick is dark reddish-brown in colour, with silvery patches on its head region. The four subspecies of this tick can be found in bushland areas across Australia, especially when their preferred hosts are present in large numbers. However, they have not been recorded in Victoria or Tasmania.
The ornate kangaroo tick has been implicated in Q fever (Coxiella burnetii). It is also known as the common kangaroo tick and can usually be found on kangaroos or wallabies. This tick will also feed on domestic animals such as dogs, horses, cattle, and sheep.
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Frequently asked questions
Cattle ticks are found in northern Australia, specifically in the northern parts of Western Australia, the Northern Territory, eastern and northern regions of Queensland, and into northern New South Wales.
Cattle ticks are small, eight-legged parasitic arachnids that feed on the blood of cattle. They are the second costliest disease to the Australian cattle industry, costing an estimated $134.2 million per year.
Infestations can cause stress and unease in cattle, leading to lethargy, lack of appetite, exercise intolerance, and even death. Cattle can also suffer from anaemia due to blood loss.
It is important to regularly inspect, treat, and quarantine new stock before introducing them to the herd. Additionally, altering breeding patterns and creating low-risk pastures can help reduce tick infestations.
Other common ticks in Australia include the paralysis tick, the bush tick, and the wallaby tick. These ticks can affect livestock, pets, and humans.
