The level of infestation with the vector of cattle babesiosis in Argentina.

Studies were carried out to determine the differential aptitude to sustain the only vector of cattle babesiosis in Argentina, the tick Boophilus microplus, throughout the infested region of this country. Tick counts on Bos taurus cattle were used as the main criterion to classify favourable (F), intermediate (I) and unfavourable (U) areas for its development. The geographical limits of each area were set up using data of non-parasitic tick stages, temperature, water balance and map recognition of flooded and unflooded zones. The F area contained 16.5 x 10(6) ha with a cattle population of 6 x 10(6); the I and U areas had 25 x 10(6) ha with 2.7 x 10(6) cattle and 19 x 10(6) with population of 2.4 x 10(6) cattle, respectively. Research on the relationship amongst Babesia-Boophilus-cattle is needed in the F area for tick development which coincides with the best region for cattle breeding.