Effects of host spectra on feeding behaviour and reproduction of soft ticks (Acari: Argasidae)

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Bulletin of Entomological Research

Publication Date

1-1-1978

Abstract

Argas persicus (Oken) fed readily on avian hosts and consumed more blood and produced more eggs than on mammalian hosts. Ornithodoros tholozani (Lab. & Mã©gn.) fed equally well on chicken and various laboratory animals and converted the blood of all hosts into eggs at equal rates. O. moubata (Murr.) was intermediate, feeding more readily on chicken, rabbit and guineapig than on mouse, rat or hamster, and showing greater utilisation of blood of chicken and rabbit than of the other hosts. The relation of these phenomena to the natural host spectra of the 3 tick species is discussed. © 1978, Cambridge University Press. All rights reserved.

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS