Comparative observations on some bionomics of Japanese ixodid ticks under laboratory cultural conditions

Seventeen species of Japanese ixodid ticks of the genera Amblyomma, Boophilus, Haemaphysalis, Ixodes, and Rhipicephalus were reared in the laboratory under almost the same cultural conditions. Their major biological characters, such as feeding, molting, oviposition, and hatching, were summarized in tables. There were some differences in these bionomics among the species. The general characteristics common to all the ticks, except Amblyomma testudinarium, were as follows. The feeding period in immature stages and adult females was 3 approximately 5 and 7 approximately 14 days, respectively. The engorged body weight in larvae, numphs, and females was 0.3 approximately 0.5, 3.5 approximately 5.0, and 100 approximately 300 mg, respectively. The potential sexuality could be estimated from the nymphal engorged weight in five species. The larval and nymphal molting periods at 25 degrees C were alike, or 10 approximately 20 days, and there were no significant sexual differences in nymphal molting period among six species. The body weight just after molting in nymphs, males, and females was 0.25 approximately 0.3, 1 approximately 2, and 2 approximately 3 mg, respectively. The pre-oviposition, oviposition, and egg-incubation periods at 25 degrees C were 4 approximately 10 days, 2 approximately 3 weeks, and 1 month, respectively.