Drag-sampling of free-living ixodid ticks in the Kruger National Park

Free-living ticks were collected by means of drag-sampling in 32 of the 35 landscape zones of the Kruger National Park during a period of 1 calendar month. Of the 18,199 specimens collected, 99.53% were larvae, 0.05% nymphs and 0.42% adults. Fourteen species were collected. Amblyomma hebraeum followed by Boophilus decoloratus, predominated, both in distribution and abundance. Large variations were encountered between drags. There was no correlation between the numbers of larvae collected and time of day, temperature, grass length, vegetation biomass estimates and subzone type.