 |
This article is still under construction. |
Argas spp.
Scientific Classification
| Class | Arachnida |
| Order | Parasitiformes |
| Family | Argasidae |
Argas persicus
| Also known as: | Fowl tick
|
Hosts
Chicken, turkeys and wilk birds.
Identification
A. persicus is a dark red tick, turning blue when fully fed. The female is larger than the male at around 8mm in length. The outer surface of the tick is irregular and creased appearance.
Life Cycle
A. persicus breeds in cracks in poultry sheds. It is active at night, feeding on the stock. The female is capable of producing large numbers of eggs. These eggs quickly hatch and the larvae attach to a host, where they feed. They draw several large blood meals, and then leave the host, returning to cracks in the poultry sheds.
The larvae then undergo three further transformations through the nymphal stages, before becoming an adult.
The complete life cyle should be done in around a month. However, under sub-optimal conditions it may be longer.
Argas reflexus
| Also known as: | Pigeon tick |
Hosts
Pigeon
Identification
They are around 9mm in length and reddish brown in colour. They also have distinct irregular grooves along the lateral edges.
Life Cycle
Similar to that of A. persicus. The number of nymphal stages vary from 2-4, and their complete life cycle may take up to 11 years.
Argas walkerae
| Also known as: | Chicken tick |
Hosts
Chicken
Life Cycle
Similar to A. persicus with three nymphal stages.
Ornithodoros spp
Scientific Classification
| Class | Arachnida |
| Order | Parasitiformes |
| Family | Argasidae |
Ornithodoros erraticus
| Also known as: | Ornothodoros marocanus
|
Hosts
Mostly small mammals.
Life Cycle
O. erraticus lays eggs in the sand of the habbitats where the hosts live. The eggs then hatch into larvae, which undergo several nymphal transformations, before turning into adults, which feed on their hosts.
Ornithodoros hermsi
| Also known as: | Sand tampan |
Hosts
O. hermsi can affect most mammals, but is seen most commonly amongst rodents.
Identification
It is a pale tick, but after a meal it turns light blue. It is around 5mm in length.
Life Cycle
Like O. erraticus, laying eggs in the sand. The larvae then remain inactive until they moult into nymphs. The nymphs then undergo several further transformations, then become adults.
Otobius spp
Scientific Classification
| Class | Arachnida |
| Order | Parasitiformes |
| Family | Argasidae |
Otobius megnini
| Also known as: | Spinose ear tick |
Hosts
Sheep, dogs, horses, cattle, and occasionally humans.
Identification
The females are between 5-8mm in length, and the males are slightly smaller. They have a granular integument, and a light blue body with light yellow legs.
Life Cycle
The larval and nymphal stages are parasitic, but the adults are not. Eggs are laid and occupy cracks in the shelters etc. where the hosts live. The larvae may survive without food for a long period of time.
The larvae moult in ears and may remain there for several months. After this they drop of the host. The adults do no feed, and are capable of living in the cracks for long periods of time.
Otobius lagophilus
| Also known as: | Rabbit ear tick |
Hosts
Rabbits.
Life Cycle
This is a one-host tick, and only the larvae and nymphs are parasitic.