The Life Cycle of Ixodes (Afrixodes) matopi Spickett, Keirans, Norval and Clifford, 1981 (Acarina: Ixodidae) under Laboratory Conditions

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Abstract
The durations of the developmental periods of Ixodes (Afrixodes) matopi at 25.degree. C and 90% RH [relative humidity] were, preoviposition 7-15 days, oviposition 36-80 days, egg incubation 31-47 days and nymphal premolt 22-38 days. As a result of nymphal diapause the adult premolt period was of varying duration. There were 2 peaks of adult emergence from nymphs that fed in June and July and were maintained at 25.degree. and 27.degree. C, respectively (June .hivin.x 57.9 and .hivin.x 148.0 days; July .hivin.x 71.3 and .hivin.x 149.9 days), and only 1 peak (.hivin.x 76.7 days) from nymphs which fed in Aug. and were maintained at 25.degree. C. Larvae fed for 5-9 days and nymphs for 5-11 days on rabbits, and adult females fed for 8-15 days on sheep. Adult males attached only intermittently and were seen to copulate both on and off the host with fed and unfed females. Unmated females did not complete engorgement. The mean number of eggs laid by engorged females was 1620.