Date of Award:

5-1-1948

Document Type:

Thesis

Degree Name:

Master of Science (MS)

Department:

Biology

Department name when degree awarded

Entomology

Committee Chair(s)

C. J. Sorenson

Committee

C. J. Sorenson

Committee

Wayne Binns

Committee

D. M. Hammond

Committee

J. B. Low

Committee

A. C. Esplin

Abstract

The sheep tick, Melophagus ovinus (Linn.), is a serious ectoparasite of sheep in the sheep raising areas of Utah. Unless a more effective method of control is developed, this insect pest will continue to cause appreciable losses to the producer. Sheep ticks feed upon the blood of their hosts causing great irritation and discomfort and reduced vitality. Sheep are often so annoyed by this pest that they refuse to eat normally. This results in retardaton of growth and impairment of the best health and condition for tick-infested sheep. The sheep tick is suspected of transmitting the disease organisms, Rickettsia melophaga Noeller and Trypanosoma melophagium (Flu). There may be also a loss of wool caused by the sheep rubbing themselves.

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