Cattle Tick
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus
If you see a tick that fits the description below, call Biosecurity New Zealand's Exotic Pests and Diseases hotline on 0800 80 99 66.
Rhipicephalus microplus is not present in New Zealand but is found worldwide in subtropical and tropical regions, including northern Australia.
This tick has the potential to cause serious economic effects as it damages hides, decreases productivity of stock, and carries diseases such as "Babesiosis" or "cattle fever". R. microplus is primarily a pest of cattle and deer, but can also be found on horses, goats, sheep, dogs, and pigs.
All life stages of this tick are associated with a single host. There are no intermediate hosts, they attach, grow, and reproduce on a single host.
If found, ticks can be treated using an appropriate acaricide and the farm placed under quarantine.
Page last updated: 21 December 2011