Three cases of tick infestation (Amblyomma testudinarium) on grazing cattle in Aomori Prefecture, the northern part of Honshu, Japan

In this study, we report three cases of tick, Amblyomma testudinarium, infestation on grazing cattle between 2009 and 2018 in Aomori Prefecture, the northern part of Honshu, Japan. The three cases were Japanese Black female adult cattle that grazed in different pastures. Ticks were observed on cattle during periodic health examination during the months of July, August, and September. The ticks were collected by the veterinarians. Ixodes monospinosus, I. ovatus, I. persulcatus, Haemaphysalis longicornis, H. ava, and H. japonica were collected from each pasture by flagging method. However, A. testudinarium could not be collected. The observation of A. testudinarium three times in this area is unknown, as this species had been only recorded in the west of Kanto region. It is possible that the migratory birds from the western part carried the ticks to these pastures. This report reveals the first record of this species in the northern part of Japan.