Investigation Of Hard Ticks Distribution In Fuzhou And Researches On The Biological Characteristics Of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) Microplus

Ticks,a kind of common animal ectoparasites, are widely distributed throughout the world. They bite hosts and snort their blood, spread diseases, endanger animals and human health directly or indirectly. It becomes an important public health issue.An investigation into the distribution of hard ticks on domestic animals and small wild animals was taken by use of the flags and method of against the Maoist inspection from September 2009 to November 2010 in Fuzhou. Seven kinds of animals including Bos taurus, Bubalus bubalus, Bos taurus,Canis lupus familiaris, Rattus flavipectus, Rattus norvegicus and Sorex sp. were examined. The collected hard ticks were identification morphologically as Rhipicephalus (Boophilus)microplus, Rhipicephalus pumilio and Ixodes granulatus.The relative dominance of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, Rhipicephalus pumilio and Ixodes granulatus were 55.19%,42.19% and 2.62% respectively. Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus and Rhipicephalus pumilio were common on livestock, the rate of infestation was nearly 100%, while Ixodes granulatus were common on Rattus flavipectus, Rattus norvegicus and Sorex sp..A single tick group of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus was successfully cultivated under laboratory conditions with the rabbits as their host. Meanwhile, the influence of temperature and humidity (temperature is 20℃,25℃,30℃,35℃,40℃, humidity of 30%,50%,70%,90%) on lifespan and spawning habits of female ticks of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus,including spawning prophase, spawning peak ,spawning period lasted for such processes, as well as the relationship of fecundity and the female ticks weight were studied. Results showed that the temperature always plays a leading role, while moisture influence is secondary. The generative phase of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is short in high temperature and high humidity environment, and is long in low temperature and low humidity environment. The influence of temperature and humidity to the oviposition of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus was not significant. But the weight of female ticks was positively related to the oviposition in linear relationship.