Oviposition of the Brown Dog Tick (Acari: Ixodidae) in the Laboratory1

Abstract

Females of Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille) that were disturbed daily during the oviposition period were significantly less efficient (P = >0.01) in converting the bloodmeal into eggs than those not manipulated or handled in any way. Undisturbed engorged females were able to convert about 74% of their body weight into eggs. Engorged females were much heavier (average, 0.235 g; range, 0.115–0.412 g) and laid more eggs (average, 3,875.5; range, 1,436–7,273) than female R. sanguineus reported in previously published studies. Other aspects of oviposition biology of R. sanguineus are quantified and compared with published accounts of this species.