Abstract
The two-host life cycle of O. lahorensis is unique among the Argasidae. The larvae hatch after an incubation period of 2–6 weeks, then attach to the host for 3–6 weeks and detach as third stage nymphs which moult to adults in the environment. Adults attach to a new host and feed for 1–2 h. Nevertheless, if no host is available for the adult, the species becomes a one-host tick. Ornithodoros lahorensis is facultatively autogenous, it does not require a blood meal to oviposit and can undergo two gonotrophic cycles without taking a blood meal. Fertilized fed or unfed females deposit batches of 300–500 eggs. However, unfed females need additional blood meals to continue producing egg batches.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | Ticks of Europe and North Africa |
| Subtitle of host publication | A Guide to Species Identification |
| Publisher | Springer Science+Business Media |
| Pages | 63-66 |
| Number of pages | 4 |
| ISBN (Electronic) | 9783319637600 |
| ISBN (Print) | 9783319637594 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 1 Jan 2018 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature 2017.