The feeding of the tick, Ixodes ricinus L., in relation to the reproductive condition of the host
1940; Cambridge University Press; Volume: 32; Issue: 3 Linguagem: Inglês
10.1017/s0031182000015791
ISSN1469-8161
Autores Tópico(s)Insect and Pesticide Research
Resumo1. The feeding of the tick Ixodes ricinus was studied in relation to the reproductive condition of the host, in this case the hedgehog Erinaceus europaeus . 2. Hedgehogs in hibernation, in full breeding condition, and injected with male and female sex hormones, were parasitized with unfed nymphs and female ticks in midwinter. 3. Attachment and engorgement of the ticks was successfully accomplished on both sexually active and inactive hosts. The longer time required to complete engorgement on the hibernating hedgehogs may be explained by their lower blood temperature. 4. Parasitization by this tick does not appear to be related to the reproductive condition of the host animal, and the amount of sex hormone in the host's blood has no apparent immediate effect on the fecundity of the tick.
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