Life cycle of Ornithodoros (Alectorobius) talaje (Acari: Argasidae) in laboratory

Specimens of Ornithodoros (Alectorobius) talaje (Guérin-Mèneville) collected in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, were used to start a laboratory colony. Larvae were fed on chicks and nymphs and adults were fed on adult chickens. From the specimens that emerged after the third molt, 97.6% were nymphs and 2.4% were males. After the fourth molt, 41.6% were nymphs, 37.6% were males, and 20.8% were females. After the fifth molt, 24% were males and 60% were females; the remainder were nymphs. The number of eggs per female per gonotrophic cycle and the mean duration of preoviposition, oviposition, and incubation periods were recorded. At the first gonotrophic cycle, duration of preoviposition period was longer and the number of eggs was smaller than any other studied gonotrophic cycle. The life cycle was completed within 849 d (maximum). The O. (A.) talaje first-instar nymphal population failed to molt without having a blood meal, which differs from other Alectorobius species. Parthenogenesis was not observed. Larval morphology was studied by optical microscopy. Unengorged specimens were larger, with smaller dorsal plate and fewer dorsal setae than those previously described.