Life cycle of Hyalomma dromedarii ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) on cattle under experimental conditions

Abstract

This study aimed to study the feeding pattern of Hyalomma dromedarii (H. dromedarii) on cattle to find whether it can play a role in the transmission of Theileria annulata among cattle under the field conditions. The life cycle of H. dromedarii had been studied on cattle from March to July at a range temperature of 34.5 - 38.5°C and range relative humidity of 21 - 47 %. Our study showed that H. dromedarii completed its life cycle in 97- 131 days and behaved as a three-host tick. Out of 1500 larvae, 1486 larvae (99.1%) were successfully complete their feeding on cattle during a period between 3 and 17 days at 38.5°C and relative humidity (R.H.) 21%. The larvae took between 14 and 16 days as premoulting period, while the moulting period was 2-3 days. Regarding the nymph stage, 98.7% of nymphs (296/300) successfully completed their feeding on cattle during a period between 3 and 10 days at 35.4°C and R.H. 26%. The nymph took between 14 and 16 days as premoulting period, while the moulting period was 3-4 days. All adult tick 100% (30/30) successfully completed their feeding on cattle during a period between 4 and 10 days at a temperature range between 34.5°C - 35.5°C and R.H. range between 28 - 47%. The preoviposition and preeclosion period varied between 4 - 6 days and between 16 -20 days respectively. Our result showed that the average of engorged ticks' weight, number of eggs produced and the weight of eggs was 0.7886 g, 7718 eggs and 0.504055 g respectively. Regarding hatchability, the results revealed that more than 93.65% of eggs were able to hatch and produced larvae. In conclusion, since H. dromedarii behaved as a three-host tick during this experiment it can participate in the transmission of Theileria annulata between cattle in field