Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) male with features of the ventral surface that are useful for identification of this genus arrowed. (Copyright, US National Tick collection) (click on thumbnail for larger image) (click on thumbnail for larger image).

Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) male with features of the ventral surface that are useful for identification of this genus arrowed. (Copyright, US National Tick collection and Frank L. Ruedisueli & Brigitte Manship) (click on thumbnail for larger image) (click on thumbnail for larger image).

Number of species in genus

5 species (Barker & Murrell 2004)

Species list

R. (Boophilus) annulatus (Say, 1821)

R. (Boophilus) decoloratus (Koch, 1844)

R. (Boophilus) geigyi (Aeschlimann & Morel, 1965)

R. (Boophilus) kohlsi (Hoogstraal & Kaiser, 1960)

R. (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini, 1888)

Identifying features of genus

Adults

• Anal groove: Obsolete
• Eyes: Present (can be difficult to see in some specimens)
• Festoons: Absent
• Basis capituli: Hexagonal
• Ornamentation:  Inornate
• Palpi: Very short and ridged dorsally and laterally 
• Ventral plates (males only): With adanal and accessory plates plates

Larvae

• Anal groove: Absent
• Palpi: Short (length < 2x width)
• Lateral large wax glands: Present and located between setae S2 (Md5) and S3 (Md6)
• Added or additional large wax glands: None
• Festoons: Absent
• Eyes: Present
• Post hypostomal setae: 1 pair present

Species occuring in New Zealand

As of June 2008 no species from this genus have recorded as being resident inNew Zealand.

Species that are considered to be a risk

R. (B.) microplus

Although R. (B.) microplus has a global distribution, which includesAustralia this species has never been intercepted at New Zealands borders. This may be due to species within this genus feeding almost exclusively on large mammals or ungulates.  The implication of this is that the most likely pathways of entry to New Zealand, movement on Human and companion animals, are unlikely to be utilized by species in this genus.  Therefore whilst the entry of R. (B.) microplus into New Zealand is of concern the risk of this occurring is considered to be low.

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Species previously intercepted at border

As of June 2009 no species from this genus have been intercepted atNew Zealands border.

General comments

• One host life cycle
• Now occur worldwide wherever cattle are raised (New Zealand is an exception, and the USA have eradicated R. (B.) annulatus and R. (B.) microplus )
• Hosts are large ungulates, espcially cattle
• Vectors of bovine babesiosis and other diseases; significant livestock pests

Useful references

Arthur DR 1960. Ticks a monograph of the Ixodoidae. Part 5 On the genera Dermacentor, Anocentor, Cosmiomma, Boophilus and Margaropus.  Cambridge University Press, London.

Barker SC & Murrell A  2004.  Systematics and evolution of ticks with a list of valid genus and species names.  Parasitology, 129: S15-S36.

Camicas, JL, hervy JP, Adam, F & Morel PC 1998.  Les Tiques de Monde.  Nomenclature, stades decrits, hotes, repartition.  The ticks of the world.  Nomenclature, described stages, hosts, distribution (Acarida, Ixodida). France , Orstom Editions.

Hillyard PD  1996.  Ticks of north-west Europe. Synopsses of the British fauna (new series). No 52.  Published for the linnean Society of London and the Estuarine and Coastal Sciences Association by Field Studies Council Publications, Montford Bridge, UK 178 pp. 

Horack IG, Camicas, J-L & Kierans, JE 2002. The Argasidae, Ixodidae and Nuttalliellidae (Acari: Ixodida): a world list of valid tick names.  Experimental and Applied Acarology, 28: 27-54.

Walker AR, Bouattour A, Camicas JL, Estrada-Pena AA, Horak IG, Litif AA, Pegram RG & PM Preston 2007.  Ticks of domestic animals in Africa.  Bioscience Reports, Edinburgh.  University of Edinbrugh.