Argas spp.
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| Argas spp. | |
|---|---|
| Class | Archnida |
| Order | Parasitiformes |
| Family | Argasidae |
Argas persicus
| Also known as: | Fowl tick Chicken tick Adobe tick Blue tick |
Hosts
Chicken, turkeys and wild 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 cycle 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.