Boophilus Annulatus: Effect of Host Nutrition on Development of Female Ticks1

Abstract

In each of 5 tests, groups of yearling Holstein steers fed a diet containing low protein and fat consistently yielded larger numbers of engorged female Boophilus annulatus (Say) than steers on a high protein and fat diet. Larger numbers of ticks were collected from steers that were losing weight than from steers that were gaining weight. The effects of both tick infestation and nutritional status influenced the hematocrit and serum cholesterol values of the steers. The nature of the resistance to ticks in cattle fed the high protein and fat diet proved to be primarily physiological rather than behavioral when steers were prevented from self-grooming.