Parasites of domestic and wild animals in South Africa. XIV. The seasonal prevalence of Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Ctenocephalides spp. on kennelled dogs in Pretoria North

Abstract

The seasonal prevalence of Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Ctenocephalides spp. on kennelled dogs in Pretoria North was determined by the regular examination of 3, initially, and later 2 dogs from March 1975-January 1977. Once the ticks had become established in the kennel peak burdens of immature ticks (larvae plus nymphae) were present on the dogs during early summer 1975 and from midsummer-late summer 1976 and early midsummer 1976/77. Peak numbers of adult ticks were present in midsummer 1975/76, from late summer-autumn and during early spring 1976 and during midsummer 1976/77. Few adults and even fewer immature ticks were present on the dogs during winter 1976 and the infestation overwintered in the pens as engorged nymphae. The flea population took 10 months to become well established. Thereafter, the periods late summer-autumn 1976 and early midsummer 1976/77 (when the survey stopped) were the most favourable and winter-spring 1976 the least favourable for adult fleas. The immature ticks preferred the sides and bellies, adult ticks the necks, and fleas the bellies of the dogs.