A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2017 to April 2018 to determining the prevalence of tick infestation, to identify the common tick species in cattle and to assess the major risk factors associated with the occurrence of tick species in and around Jimma town, Southwestern Ethiopia. Out of 384 cattle examined, 276(71.90%) were infested by one or more tick species. Overall, 1468 adult ticks were collected from half of the animal body parts, preserved with 70% ethanol and were identified morphologically. The species identified were: Amblyomma coherences (38.20%), Amblyomma variegatum (21.73%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus (24.52%), Amblyomma gemma (6.60%), Amblyomma lepidium (5.30%) and Rhipicephalus eversi (3.60%). Tick prevalence was not statistical significance regarding sex (male 72.90% and female 69.67%), while significant differences were found regarding breed (local 73.90% and cross 31.60%), the age (young 63.56%, adult 70.59%, old 80.77%) and with body condition (poor 82.20%, medium70.80% and good 60.90%). The favorable predilection sites of A. variegatum were brisket/dewlap and udder/scrotum. Rhipicephalus (B.) decolaratus preferred brisket/dewlap, abdomen/back and udder/scrotum while R. eversi perineum, head/ears and brisket/dewlap. Special attention should be given to the control and prevention of ticks, since they cause severe damage to skin and hides and thereby reduce the foreign currency and transmit diseases which can cause severe loss to the productivity of animals.

Keywords: Bovine, Identification, Ixodid tick, Jimma town, Prevalence, Risk factor