The effect of climate on the seasonal activity and abundance of Amblyomma Variegatumn (fabricus,1794) (acarina:ixodidae)

Abstract

Amblyomma variegatum (fabricus,1794) (acarina:Ixodidae) is a tropical tick found in all the ecological sones of Nigeria. It parasitises all livestock, but is most common on cattle of the zebu type. A variegatum is a 3-host tick. In Nigeria, cattle are reared in the savannah zone of northern Nigeria and only brought down to the south (forest zone) where Ibadan is located, to be slaughtered for food. Cattle are not reared in the south becuase of the adverse effect of Glossina sp. on them. In Ibadan there is only one rainy season per year and this period coincides with the high incidence of A. variegatum adult females on trade cattle during the rains. In this study, it was observed that climatic factors such as rainfall, temperature, humidity and sunshine affect the seasonal appearance of the adults, larvae and nymphs of A. variegatum on trade cattle.