Goats, hares, and rabbits as hosts for the New Zealand cattle tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis

摘要: Abstract Feral goats and hares were commonly infested by immature stages of the New Zealand cattle tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis. No explanation could be found for low prevalence adult ticks on these hosts. The ears both host species almost exclusive feeding site this may a consequence grooming behaviour. Another potential host, rabbit, was examined but few to infested. less restricted range non-domesticated hosts, together with habits that differ from domestic stock, make them an important additional source information ecology seasonal pattern activity H. Also, they are contamination tick-free pasture, possibly maintain tick population in absence sheep cattle. It is their role as alternative hosts understood considered tick-control programmes.