The life cycle of Amblyomma auricularium (Acari: Ixodidae) using rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) as experimental host.

The life cycle of Amblyomma auricularium (Conil) is reported for the first time, using rabbits as experimental host. Developmental periods of free-living stages were observed in an incubator at 27 +/- 1 degrees C, 80 +/- 10% RH and 24 h darkness. The complete life cycle, including pre-feeding periods for each parasitic stage, ranged from 97 to 162 days. The overall sex ratio was 1.16:1 (M:F). Feeding and premolt periods, molting success, and engorgement weight of nymphs were statistically different between males and females (P < 0.01), but because their ranges overlapped, they cannot be used to predict the sex with accuracy. The potential role of rabbits as experimental hosts for rearing A. auricularium in the laboratory is discussed.

The effect of humidity on the oviposition and larval mortality of Haemaphysalis leporispalustris (Packard, 1869) (Acari: Ixodidae) under laboratory conditions.

Oviposition, reproductive and nutritional efficiency indices (REI and NEI), eclosion and larvae mortality of Haemaphysalis leporispalustris were studied under controlled conditions, inside desiccators, at constant temperatures of 25+/-1 degrees C and relative humidity (RH) levels adjusted at 30, 50, 70 and 95%. Fourth generation tick specimens, originated from a colony fed on rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus), were used. The experiment was conducted between Jul/1999 and Jan/2001. The pre-oviposition and oviposition periods decreased and increased, respectively, according to the increase in RH. The egg mass weight, REI and NEI, increased according to the increase in RH. The females' residual weight, under high humidity levels, was probably small due to a better energetic use for egg production (51.77 +/- 11.06 mg at 95% RH). The incubation period was inversely proportional to RH increase (45.10+/- 2.47 days; 40.33+/- 1.45 days and 36.85+/- 0.37 days at 50% 70% and 95% RH, respectively). There was no eclosion at 30% RH. Period and percentage of eclosion were directly proportional to the increase of the other RH levels. A diminished formation of embryonic points as well as the desiccation of the already formed eggs were observed. Larval longevity was negatively influenced by 50% RH, with death occurring concomitant to eclosion.