Successive infestation of the rabbit host by instars of the brown ear tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus resulted in a progressive decline in engorgement and egg weights of adult instars and a reduction in percentage recovery of nymphs and larvae. Repetitive infestation with adults and larvae resulted in increased skin hypersensitivity reactions at the attachment site. Successive infestation with R. zambeziensis caused a more significant decline in engorgement and egg weights of adults than for R. appendiculatus. Percentage recoveries of larvae and nymphs were also significantly reduced. A cross-infestation study indicated that R. appendiculatus and R. zambeziensis share antigenic moieties.

Controlled repeated infestation of Bos taurus and Bos indicus cattle resulted in a decline in the recovery of all R. appendiculatus instars. Resistance to infestation varied between individuals although all individuals manifested severe hypersensitivity at the attachment site, which was reflected in the grooming reflex.