Abstract
The current study investigated the biology of nymphs of the first and second instars of Argas (Persicargas) miniatus. Nymphs were deprived of food for 15, 30 or 60 days and held at 27 ± 1 °C and 80 ± 10% relative humidity (controlled conditions) or at room conditions of temperature and relative humidity. Nymphs of first instar deprived of food for 15 or 30 days molted to second and third instars in both controlled and room conditions. Nymphs of the first instar deprived of food for 60 days had 28 and 37% mortality in controlled and room conditions, respectively; and survivors did not attach to the host. Nymphs of the second instar, deprived of food for 60 days, molted either to the third instar or to males after feeding on Gallus gallus, and the nymphs of the third instar developed to adults (42.42% males and 36.36% females when nymphs were held in controlled temperature and humidity conditions, and 40.54% males and 48.65% females when nymphs were held in room conditions). The remainder of the nymphs molted to the fourth instar and then molted to females. In conclusion, the nymphal starvation period of 60 days determined the number of nymph instars in the life cycle of A. miniatus under the experimental conditions studied.
Highlights
The Argas (Persicargas) miniatus Koch, 1844 (Acari: Argasidae) is the only species of the genus Argas occurring in Brazil
According to Isaac (1977), the amount of blood ingested, which in turn indirectly affects the number of nymphal instars, may be determined by the fixation site and the temperature and light intensity occurring while the ticks of the Argas are feeding on the host
We observed that prolonged fasting affects the weight of nymphal instars of A. (P.) miniatus, especially in the first 30 days, most likely because during this period ticks present a higher level of excretion, contributing to the decrease in weight
Summary
The Argas (Persicargas) miniatus Koch, 1844 (Acari: Argasidae) is the only species of the genus Argas occurring in Brazil. The number of nymphal instars in the ticks of the Argasidae is affected by climatic changes, the volume of ingested blood, and the type of host (BALASHOV, 1968; ISAAC, 1977). The main factor affecting the number of nymphal instars is the volume of ingested blood (BALASHOV, 1968). According to Isaac (1977), the amount of blood ingested, which in turn indirectly affects the number of nymphal instars, may be determined by the fixation site and the temperature and light intensity occurring while the ticks of the Argas are feeding on the host
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