Comparative observations on some bionomics of Japanese ixodid ticks under laboratory cultural conditions
Fujisaki, K.; Kitaoka, S.; Morii, T.
National Institute of Animal Health Quarterly 16(3): 122-128
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0027-951X PMID: 980121 Document Number: 107694
Seventeen species of Japanese ixodid ticks of the genera Amblyomma, Boophilus, Haemaphysalis, Ixodes, and Rhipicephalus were reared in the laboratory under almost the same cultural conditions. Their major biological characters, such as feeding, moulting, oviposition, and hatching, are summarized in tables. There were some differences in these bionomics among the species. The general characteristics common to all the ticks, except Amblyomma testudinarium, were as follows. The feeding period in immature stages and adult females was 3-5 and 7-14 days, respectively. The engorged body weight in larvae, nymphs, and females was 0.3-0.5, 3.5-5.0, and 100-300 mg, respectively. The potential sexuality could be estimated from the nymphal engorged weight in five species. The larval and nymphal moulting periods at 25 deg C were alike, or 10-20 days, and there were no significant sexual differences in nymphal moulting period among six species. The body weight just after moulting in nymphs, males, and females was 0.25-0.3, 1-2, and 2-3 mg, respectively. The pre-oviposition, oviposition, and egg incubation periods at 25 deg C were 4-10 days, 2-3 weeks, and 1 month, respectively.