Artificial-membrane feeding of the ixodid tick, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, to repletion

An artificial feeding device was constructed with a Baudruche membrane bearing olfactory and tactile stimuli, to induce voluntary attachment and feeding of the brown ear tick, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus. Preparation of the membrane and experimental conditions used are described. Unfed adults of R. appendiculatus, 2-3 weeks after moulting, were confined on the membrane, which was treated with cattle ear-wash and other stimuli. They attached and commenced sucking blood within 12-48 h. Fully engorged ticks started detaching from the membrane on the 6th day. After a 5-6-day incubation period, they started laying eggs which hatched into normal larvae.