Nova técnica de cubagem para estudo de correlações entre volume e peso de carrapatas e sua longevidade e prolificidade

Abstract

The volumes of engorged female Boophilus microplus ticks were determined through water displacement in the outside cylinders of a plastic hypodermal syringe and such volumes correlated almost perfectly with their weights as determined in two different scales. This result justifies the use of this very simple equipment for the indirect weighing of engorged ticks in field researches. Larger and heavier engorged females began egg-laying earlier, produced more eggs and died sooner than the lighter and smaller ones, being all these comparisons statistically significant. The tick's larvae showed positive hydrotropism and negative phototropism.