The seasonal occurrence of ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on sheep and in the field in the Judean area of Israel.

A 2 year survey of ixodid ticks in the Judean area of Israel between 1983 and 1985 showed that sheep were parasitized by the following species: Rhipicephalus sanguineus group (30.6%), Rhipicephalus bursa (25.3%), Haemaphysalis cretica (20.5%), Haemaphysalis otophila (20.1%) and Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum (3.1%). Three other species, Hyalomma marginatum rufipes, Boophilus annulatus and Amblyomma lepidum were also present but in very low numbers. A total of 50,816 specimens (78.1% adult ticks) were collected from the sheep. In the field, a total of 4780 ticks (8.7% adults) were collected and 64.3% consisted of R. bursa. Other species found were H. cretica (14.5%), H. a. excavatum (13.7%), H. otophila (3.4%), R. sanguineus group (1.9%) and 1.7% was Ixodes eldaricus. The number of ticks collected varied from year to year and seasonal activity was observed in all species except for H. a. excavatum. In all species, males outnumbered females, with the exception of H. cretica. The seasonal occurrence, tick ecology and disease relationship is discussed for each species.