Oviposition and eclosion periods of Ixodes didelphidis Fonseca and Aragäo, 1951 (Acari: Ixodidae) under laboratory conditions

RESUMO

Oviposition and eclosion periods for Ixodes didelphidis were observed under two temperatures (25o.C and 27o.C) and 90-95 percent humidity. Although there was a significant increase in the eclosion period (p<0.05) and a tendency to increase the oviposition period at 25o.C, there was neither significant differences in the interval (days), until maximum peak of eclosion nor in the number of emerging larvae during the peak nor the total number of emerged larvae. These temperature values are not critical for embryological development of the species. Because at 27o.C and under high humidity the oviposition and eclosion periods are shorter, and the percentage of emerged larvae is higher, we consider this to be the ideal temperature for laboratory studies