title: Population dynamics of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in a subtropical subhumid region of Argentina for use in the design of control strategies.
abstract: The population dynamics of Rhipicephalus microplus (Ixodida: Ixodidae) in northwest Argentina was analysed to support the design of strategic methods for its control. Both parasitic and non-parasitic phases were studied. The seasonal activity of R. microplus in its parasitic phase was characterized by three peaks in abundance: the first in mid-late spring; the second in summer, and the third in autumn. The non-parasitic phase of R. microplus was characterized by a long total non-parasitic period observed after exposures of females from mid-summer to early autumn, a short total non-parasitic period observed after exposures of females from late winter to late spring, a short period of larval longevity in early and mid-summer, and no hatch of the eggs produced by females exposed in mid- and late autumn and winter. Treatments of cattle administered during the period from late winter to late spring will act on small cohorts of R. microplus, preventing the emergence of larger generations in summer and autumn. A 17-week spelling period starting in late spring and early summer will be necessary to achieve optimal control of R. microplus free-living larvae. If spelling begins in mid- or late summer or in autumn, the required period will be 26-27 weeks.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Investigaciòn Animal del Chaco Semiárido (IIACS), Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA), Chañar Pozo, Argentina.
authors.forename: J T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Canevari
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Producción Animal, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Rafaela, Argentina.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Mangold
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Producción Animal, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Rafaela, Argentina.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Guglielmone
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Producción Animal, Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela, Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria, and Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Rafaela, Argentina.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nava
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001118:Argentina; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology; D011157:Population Dynamics; D048494:Rhipicephalus / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D012621:Seasons; D013983:Tick Control / Q000379:methods*; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Argentina; Rhipicephalus microplus; cattle tick; control; ecology