SHORT-NOSED CATTLE LOUSE 
'-590- 
In northwestern Texas, particularly the Panhandle area, Haematopinus 
eurysternus Nitz. is exceedingly abundant on sone individual range animals* 
As is usually the case with this insect, only certain animals, which for some 
unknown reason are more susceptible than others, are subject to tremendous in- 
festations, whereas many in the same herd appear to be free of this pest. The 
infestation during 1940 was gen ral but apparently no more severe than during 
previous years. (E. W. Lanke, Bureau of Entomology and Flant Quarantine, 
U, S. E. A.) 
AMERICAN LOG TICK 
In general, the American dog tick appeared to be normal, or slightly below 
in abundance in the Eastern States during 1940. In southeastern Massachusetts, 
however, ticks were much less numerous than during 1939 » and, in some adjacent 
localities, fewer than they had been for many years. The isolated area of in- 
festation around Lake Uinnepesauk.ee, N. H,, was found to have extended north- 
ward, the tick occurring apparently for the first time at a point a few miles 
south of Conway. Rocky Mountain spotted fever, which is transmitted by this 
tick in the Central and Eastern States, showed a distinct decrease, according 
to reports published by the United States Public Health Service in Public 
Health Reverts. Through November a total of 232 cases were reported in 1940, 
as compared to 347 in 1939 end 242 in 193® • ®- 10 disease wa.s reported in 10 
cases in Oklahoma in 1940 whereas in 1939 none had been reported west of Iowa 
and Missouri. The number of cases in the Western States, where the principal 
carrier is D. andersoni Stiles, showed a constant increase, from 118 in 193® » 
I 69 in 1939 > to 180 in 1940. (F. C. Bishopp, Bureau of Entomology and Plant 
Quarantine, U. S. D. A.) 
WINTER HORSE TICK 
The problem of the winter horse tick ( Dernacentor nigrolineatus (Pack.)) 
in Texas is principally confined to the thick brushy sections along the escarp- 
ment of the Edwards Plateau, although during some years trouble from this pest 
may extend well up on the plateau itself, along sone of the valleys of the 
rivers which head farther north than the escarpment, and into the flat plains 
country south of the plateau. The ticks as a rule do not begin attacking 
animals until about the middle of November and continue until well into Febru- 
ary. Phey cause considerable injury and death loss among horses, the principal 
host. Animals are infested over the entire body and it is not uncommon to see 
several thousand ticks on a single horse. In heavily infested animals serious 
symptoms are early apparent, notably the extensive swelling along the larger 
veins on the belly. This is followed by a rapid decline in the health of the 
animal and death frequently ensues if the ticks aro not destroyed. Luring 
1940 heavy infestations began to appear about the first of December in the 
eastern end of the escarpment area and subsequent reports from ranchmen in- 
dicate that considerable trouble is now being experienced all along. 'the edge 
of the plateau and as far north as Sonora and Menard , Tex. Ranchmen report 
that the infestations are much heavier than in 1939 and that a number of animal 
have already died from the attacks of the tick. (E. C. Cushing, Bureau of 
Entomology and Plant Quarantine, U. S. D. A.) 
