Seasonal activity of ixodid ticks on goats in northern Greece

Abstract

Ixodid ticks were collected at monthly intervals for 20 consecutive months from 25 goats of the local breed selected at random from a flock grazing permanently around a village in northern Greece. Three species of ixodid ticks were recovered, Ixodes gibbosus, Rhipicephalus bursa and Dermacentor marginatus. I gibbosus was the most abundant and prevalent species. It was found on the animals from October to April, and its activity increased with lower mean temperatures and higher relative humidities. R bursa was present from May to August, and its activity increased with higher mean temperatures and lower relative humidities. D marginatus was present in very small numbers from January to March, with no significant correlation with climatic factors.