Abstract
The tick Haemaphysalis tibetensis is endemic in Qinghai-Tibet plateau of China, and regarded as potential vector of spirochetes and orbivirus. However, knowledge on its life cycle and biological characteristics is meager. Therefore, this paper investigated the life cycle of H. tibetensis under laboratory conditions. Results indicated that, the tick H. tibetensis required a mean duration of 166.7 days to complete the whole cycle, and the average developmental periods of larvae and nymphs were 34.0 days and 41.6 days, respectively. The summation of the prefeeding, feeding and preovipositon periods of females was 23.9 days, and oviposition lasted for 19.4 days. Egg incubation required 47.8 days, which was the longest period in the whole life cycle. Linear regression analysis revealed a highly positive correlation between the weight of the engorged female and the number of the egg mass laid (r=0.91). The reproductive efficiency index and the reproductive fitness index were 5.2 and 4.5, respectively.
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