Cattle breed alters reproduction in Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae)

Female Amblyomma americanum [L.] that feed on Bos taurus cattle weigh significantly (P = 0.05) more (mean = 505.4 mg) than females that feed on B. indicus x B. taurus cattle (mean = 450.7 mg) but not females that feed on B. indicus cattle (mean = 489.7 mg). Females that feed on B. taurus cattle lay more eggs (mean = 3492) and produce more larvae (mean = 3243) than females that feed on B. indicus cattle (mean = 3103 eggs; 2925 larvae) or B. indicus x B. taurus cattle (mean = 2961 eggs; 2759 larvae). The number of eggs produced per unit engorged female weight is not significantly different in ticks that feed on B. taurus and B. indicus x B. taurus cattle.