Amblyomma Variegatum (Acari: Ixodidae): Population Dynamics and Hosts Used During an Eradication Program in Puerto Rico1

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Abstract
The population dynamics and hosts used by Amblyomma variegatum (the tropical bont tick) before, during, and after a pilot eradication program in an endemic area of Puerto Rico are presented. All potential hosts, both domestic and wild, were examined periodically from 1980 to 1983 for ticks on 5 farms in the area. All cattle, goats, and horses in the 5 study farms were placed under an active eradication program in April 1981 and released in July 1983. All domestic animals on each of the 5 farms were systematically sprayed with coumaphos every 14 days during the eradication program. Larvae, nymphs, and adults parasitized goats, horses, and cattle; cattle were the primary hosts. No wild birds or domestic fowl were found parasitized, and only 2 mice, 1 rat, and 1 mongoose were found parasitized (only 1 unengorged larva on each). Possible reasons for the low populations of A. variegatum on Puerto Rico and for the success of the eradication program are discussed.