Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
Capitulum: The capitulum is comparatively strong and is 0.44 mm in length.
The base is 3 times as broad as long. The porose areas are oval, and the interval
between them is equal to twice their shortest diameter.
Scutum: The punctations are a little larger than those of the male, but are
sparsely scattered except on the lateral fields, where they are comparatively numer-
ous. The marginal grooves commence opposite the second pair of legs and each
includes two festoons of the side. There are unequal punctations all over the gen-
eral body. The spiracle is as broad as long.
Nymph ( Figures 2.77 and 2.78 ) 104
Capitulum: The capitulum is longer than broad and is 0.18 mm in length. The cor-
nua are poorly developed. The hypostome is armed with 3/3 rows of teeth with
about six teeth in each row; their number is fewer in the innermost row.
Scutum: The scutum is sub-pentagonal in shape with the posterior angle broadly
rounded. It is broader than long and the surface has a granulated appearance. The
scutum measures 0.40 mm in length and 0.49 mm in breadth approximately.
Larva ( Figures 2.77 and 2.78 ) 104
Capitulum: Without cornua, salience rounded, palpal segment II only slightly
broader than palpal segment III. Palpal segment III is with distinct ventral spur,
ventral spur of palpal segment III is short, thick, and blunt, reaching about one-
fourth the distance to the basal margin of palpal segment II.
Legs: Coxa I is with spur reduced and blunt and sub-equal to or shorter than
ventral spur of palpal segment III.
Life History 8,118
Biology of this species was studied by Bhat in 1971 under the natural conditions of
cattle sheds in KFD area where this species is known to mass breed. Freshly dropped
and ovipositing females were seen in clusters of 50
60 along with egg masses
inside the crevices of walls, up to 3 ft above the floor. The population of engorged
adults observed increased in July. Engorged adults continued to appear till the end
of August. From September onward their number gradually decreased and from
December to May, they were almost absent. In the next rainy season from June to
September, they reappeared and a similar sequence of events followed.
About a month after the appearance of engorged adults in large numbers, larvae
appeared in clusters of a few to several hundred individuals all over the walls and
pillars up to 5 ft above the floor. Clusters of engorged larvae and nymphs were
observed in grooves and crevices of wooden pillars, walls, and ropes. Engorged lar-
vae were found up to 5 ft and nymphs up to 8 ft above the floor. Engorged larvae,
nymphs, and adults dropped in large number from cattle during early morning
hours between 6 and 8 a.m., and the shed was teeming with crawling ticks. 10
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