Distribution of tick species spread in Kütahya vicinity

This study was planned to determine the tick species infested to the cattle and small ruminants in Kütahya Province and their seasonal activity and prevalence. Examination was performed in terms of animal infestation in 10 villages between October 2010 and October 2011.The infestation rate of animals was detected as 9.55%. A total of 657 ticks were collected from Ağaçköy, Ahiler, Ahmetoluğu, Bölcek, Enne, Kıranşeyh, Kozluca, Sırören, Yaylababa, Yenice and the tick number ranges were 9.89%, 10.35%, 0%, 0.91%, 3.81%, 5.48%, 7.31%, %37.44, 17.05%, 7.76%, respectively. No ticks were found in the shelters. A total of 11 tick species consisting of Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes hexagonus, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus, Dermacentor marginatus, Hyalomma marginatum, Haemaphysalis parva, Haemaphysalis sulcata, Haemaphysalis punctata, Rhipicephalus bursa, Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Rhipicephalus turanicus were determined.Seasonal fluctuations of tick species were also determined. Ixodes ricinus species was encountered mostly during fall and winter months (late November to early January). Additionally, one I. hexagonus were seen in November. In the same month, increasing prevalance of R. (Boophilus) annulatus was identified in Kozluca and Yaylababa. Dermacentor marginatus were usually found in winter time. Found for the first time on a goat herd in Yaylababa in April, H. marginatum, were found between April and July. Haemaphsalis parva were found in October, November and March. Haemaphysalis sulcata were found in November and March. Haemaphysalis punctata were found only in March and November. Rhipicephalus species were generally found in late spring and summer.Keywords: Bovine, Goat, Kütahya, Ovine, Seasonal Activity, Tick.