Laboratory investigations on the life-cycle of the Karoo paralysis tick (Ixodes rubicundus Neumann, 1904).

NEITZ, W. 0., BOUGHTON, F. & WALTERS, H. S., 1971. Laboratory investigation on the life-cycle of the Karoo paralysis tick (Ixodes rubicundus Neumann, 1904). Onderstepoort]. vet . Res., 38 (3) 215-224 (1971). Detailed data on the rearing of three groups of Ixodes rubicundus ticks at different temperature and humidity levels are presented in a series of tables and figures . The differences between the life-spans are seen to be dependent mainly upon the temperature. The average duration of 405 days at relatively h igh temperatures is extended to 1115 days at lower temperatures. The reason for the mortality rate of approximately 96% of the immature stages in all groups during the prefeeding, feeding and premoulting periods is obscure.