Amblyomma spp.: Amblyomma tick; species include the bont tick, cayenne tick, variegated tick, Lone Star tick and Gulf Coast tick.

General Description: Ornate with eyes and festoons. Hypostome and palpi are long. These ticks are usually large.

Life Cycle: Amblyomma species are three-host ticks. All stages in the life cycle can survive for long periods of time before feeding. For example, larvae of the Lone Star tick (A. americanum) may live for 48 to 279 days without feeding. Nymphs may survive up to 476 days and adult ticks for 393 to 430 days before taking a blood meal. Location: All parts of animal´s exterior. Geographical Distribution: Widely distributed.

Location: All parts of animal´s exterior.

Significance: Amblyomma ticks, in addition to inflicting painful bites, are the vector for several diseases. The bont tick (A. hebraeum) transmits heartwater Cowdria ruminantium and tick bite fever (Rickettsia conorii). Amblyomma americanum, the Lone Star tick, carries Q fever (Rickettsia burnetii) and may cause tick paralysis, as does the Gulf Coast tick (A maculatum ).

Effect on Host: Amblyomma ticks produce large bites which may bother the animal and predispose it to secondary bacterial infection. Tick paralysis may also occur owing to toxins injected by the tick while feeding.

Diagnostic Information: Large ornate ticks found on the animal.

Control: Chemical treatment of cattle may be effective, but some Amblyomma species, notably A. hebraeum, are resistant to some organophosphate chemicals now is use.

Ticks attached to udder of a cow