Artificial Feeding of Adult and Nymphal Dermacentor Andersoni (Acari: Ixodidae) During Studies on Bovine Anaplasmosis1

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Abstract
Procedures and apparatus for in vitro feeding of adult and nymphal stages of the ixodid tick Dermacentor andersoni are described. After prefeeding for 4 to 6 days on rabbits, both stages of the tick completed engorgement in artificial feeding devices using rabbit or mouse skin as the attachment surface and packed bovine red blood cells (RBC) as food. Nymphs completed engorgement during 2 days using a single mouse skin for attachment and 6 aliquots of packed RBC as food. Adult females in the presence of males reattached to rabbit skin 2 to 4 times during a 2- to 4-day period and completed engorgement. The residual RBC (and tick saliva) in the feeding device after artificial feeding of Anaplasma marginale-infected adult ticks was not infectious when inoculated into susceptible calves. Probable reasons for failure to transmit anaplasmosis are discussed. Detmacentor andersoni nymphs were readily infected by in vitro feeding on Anaplasma marginale-infected blood and transmitted the parasite during the adult stage.