On the use of the scrotum for feeding larval ixodid ticks on hosts

The efficacy of feeding larval stages of Amblyomma variegatum, Hyalomma rufipes and Boophilus decoloratus on the ears and scrotum of sheep is compared. The effect of age of larvae on the number that engorged on the animal was also investigated. A significantly greater number of larvae fed on scrotum than on ears. The greatest number of larvae engorged when they were fed on the scrotum or ear within 1-4 days of hatching. The older the larvae, the less the number that fed. The economic advantages of adopting the scrotal method for rearing larval tick stages as well as the implication under natural conditions of younger larvae feeding in large numbers are discussed.