Drop-off patterns for engorged adult females, nymphs and larvae of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus

Abstract

A drop off rhythm of engorged Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Neumann was demonstrated for females and engorged nymphs, but not for larvae. Seventy per cent of 1279 engorged R. appendiculatus females dropped off the animals between 0800 and 1000 hr, while 66% of 2736 engorged nymphs dropped between 1600 and 1800 hr.

Females which were put on the animals at night (2000 hr), started to drop-off 24 hr later, than those put on in the day (0900 hr). Ticks which were fed on tick-sensitized animals also started to drop off 24 hr later, than those on tick-naive animals.

The implications of these results on tick control management are discussed