Survey of arthropods associated with cattle fever ticks (Rhipicephalus microplus) (Acari: Ixodidae) in Batangas Province, Philippines

With increasing concerns regarding environmental safety, rise in cost of chemical controls, potential resistance of ticks to acaricides, and transmission of several pathogens to humans, the use of biological control agents (BCA) is important in the management of cattle fever tick (CFT), Rhipicephalus microplus. A preliminary survey of the BCAs of R. microplus was done in Padre Burgos, Batangas Province, Philippines to identify arthropods with possible association with cattle fever ticks using the sweep net technique, yellow pan trap, sticky trap, and pitfall trap as collection methods. Engorged R. microplus were collected from the ears, neck, dewlap, and flank of cattle at the livestock auction market. Majority of the ticks were used as bait attached to the different collecting traps to attract BCAs. A total of 4,542 arthropods were collected and predominantly in the orders Diptera, Hymenoptera, Thysanoptera, Homoptera, and Hemiptera. The use of BCAs for tick management in the Philippines is relatively new and is primarily in its research phase. More extensive survey will be done to explore additional BCAs of CFT in the Philippines. The discovery of the BCA of CFT will help in the control of CFT in the Philippines and other countries where this pest is a major problem in livestock. © Rushing Water Publishers Ltd. 2019