Engorgement and Reproduction of Lone Star Ticks (Amblyomma Americanum(L.)) Treated with Gamma-radiation

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Abstract
Most unengorged nymphal lone-star ticks (Amblyomma americanum (L.)) exposed to 250–7500 r of gamma-radiation from a 60Co source engorged normally, and those irradiated with 1000 r or less moulted to adults; those irradiated with 2500 r or greater did not. Nymphs irradiated after completion of engorgement became increasingly tolerant to radiation during the moulting period. Those irradiated with 2500 r one day after engorgement did not moult, whereas those irradiated with 15000 r two weeks after engorgement moulted. Egg-laying and egg hatch were used as criteria to determine the effects of radiation on the reproduction of adults from irradiated nymphs or irradiated adults. Irradiation with 250 r had little or no effect on reproduction. With females, reproduction was reduced at a dose of 500 r and prevented at a dose of 1000 r. With males, reproduction was slightly reduced at a dose of 500 r, and at a dose of 1000 r, effects on reproduction varied according to the point in development at which the males were irradiated. With both sexes, irradiation with 2500 r or more prevented reproduction.

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