Study on Oviposition and Hatching Period in Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) Microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) under Laboratory Conditions

Abstract

Ticks are highly specialized distributed worldwide obligate hematophagous ectoparasites of mammals, birds, and reptiles. Amongst the species of ticks infecting cattle in India, Rhipicephalus microplus is the most widely distributed tick and established as the principal vectors of pathogens like Babesia and Anaplasma species (Ghosh and Nagar, 2014). Changes in the ovipositional and hatching pattern of these parasites are observed depending on the atmospheric conditions. Several extrinsic factors Such as rainfall, temperature, humidity, floods, winds and physical damage affect the successful reproductive performance and survival of ixodid ticks after detachment from their hosts (Dipeolu, 1984). This study was aimed to evaluate the period of oviposition and hatching of eggs in engorged female ticks R.(B.) microplus collected from cattle in and around Indore.