Biology of Dermacentor marginatus (Acari: Ixodidae) under laboratory conditions

Abstract

ObjectiveTo investigate and survey the biology of Dermacentor marginatus (D. marginatus) under laboratory conditions. MethodsIn this investigation, D. marginatus adult ticks were collected from sheep in Semnan province. Then various developmental stages of D. marginatus including larvae, nymphs and adult males and females under laboratory condition were bred and their biology was scrutinized. ResultsThe requisite time to complete the life cycle of D. marginatus under controlled laboratory conditions for larvae (26 °C, 75% relative humidity) and nymph (26 °C, 95% relative humidity) moulting, was on average 92 d (range 75–104 d), including preoviposition and egg incubation (22.5 d), larvae incubation (20.5 d), nymphal stage (28 d) along with male maturation (21 d). The index of conversion efficiency and the index of reproduction efficiency in females were 0.397 and 8.300, respectively. ConclusionsAlthough in this investigation, there was no meaningful correlation between preoviposition period and the weight of female ticks which were laid successfully. The significant linear relationship was fully observed between the weight of engorged female of D. marginatus and the number of eggs laid. The mean of preoviposition period from 5.4 d in autumn to 34.2 d in spring increased. The minimum weight of ticks with laying capacity was 69 mg and lighter ticks (21 mg) either did not lay or if they did their eggs did not hatch.