THE CATTLE TICKS (IXODOIDEA) OF THE UNITED 



STATES. 



By D. E. Salmon, D. Y. M., 

 Chief of Bureau of Animal Industry, 



AND 



Ch. Wardell Stiles, Ph.D., 

 Zoologht of Bureau (f Animal Industry. 



INTRODUCTION. 



Ohjects o f t/fc present pape7\ — The present paper is intended prinia- 

 ril}-^ as a guide to the inspectors of the Bureau of Animal Industry in 

 their quarantine work against Texas fever. On this account only such 

 forms will be described and ligured in detail as inspectors are more 

 likely to find on cattle. Brief reference will be made, however, to 

 other genera and species, since it can not be foreseen what forms may 

 be accidentally found. We are especially likely to meet with some of 

 the numerous Mexican and Central American species which may be 

 accidentally spread, particularly to the Southern States, b}^ migratory 

 l:>irds, by imported animals, by produce, or by travelers. Once intro- 

 duced in this way it is in many cases a matter of chance whether the}^ 

 will attack cattle. Our closer relations with Porto Rico, Cuba, and 

 the Philippines also present increased opportunities for the introduc- 

 tion of exotic ticks into the United States. 



The importance of being able to recognize the Texas fever tick 

 (fig. 42) {Boojyliilus anmdahis, more commonh^ known as BoojMlus 

 hovis) and to eliminate other forms is immediateh^ apparent when it is 

 recalled that the Texas fever quarantine line, extending from the 

 Atlantic to the Pacific, is based upon the presence or absence of this 

 species. 



Arrangement of 2jap)eT. — The present paper is so arranged that an 

 inspector may inform himself in a ver}^ short time in regard to the 

 common ticks of cattle. For this purpose he should stud}^ the text 

 which is printed in the larger tj^pe and the illustrations. The descrip- 

 tions and keys, printed in the smaller type, are intended for use in 

 connection with specimens. 



Ticks which are sent in for determination should be addressed to the 

 380 



