The application of phage-displayed peptide libraries to ligand detection in eggs and larvae of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus.

The cattle tick, Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus is an ectoparasite of cattle and is one of the major limiting factors in the use of Bos taurus cattle in tropical and subtropical countries. Current control relies heavily on chemotherapy with synthetic acaricides, which is threatened by the development of resistant tick populations. Novel approaches to target discovery in cattle ticks may provide alternative strategies for the control of these parasites.