Cooley & Kohls: Argasidae of N. America, etc. 



93 



NYMPH 



Early stage nymphs show no evidence of cheeks. Late stage nymphs show 

 them much smaller than in the female. Smallest nymphs measure 1.35 x 0.9®. 



LARVA 



Short-oval, moderate in size. Length including hypostome, 0.765; width, 

 0.48. Dorsal plate shining and with faint pits (visible with reflected light in 

 unmounted specimens). Legs about as long as the body. Capitulum terminal 

 and visible from above; basis broad. Hypostome lacking the long conical base 

 found in some species (see figure 35, A); sides a little converging anteriorly, 

 bluntly pointed apically. Denticles apically A j± then 3 / 3 , and finally 2 / 2 at 

 the base; those of the lateral files large, and those of the median files small. 

 Length of hypostome about 0.2. 



HOSTS 



Ornithodoros stageri is known only from bats and bat-inhabited caves and 

 mines. Adults have been found on Myotis velifer and Tadarida mexicana. 

 Adults and nymphs have been found in abundance in rock crevices in bat 

 caves and mine tunnels where bats hung and on guano deposits on the floors. 



The species feeds promptly on man when it has opportunity as evidenced 

 by Dr. Bequaert (in letter), and both of the present authors. One of us 

 (G. M. K.) and his assistant received several bites while collecting the species 

 in bat retreats. 



Fig. 42. Distribution of Ornithodoros stageri Cooley and Kohls. 



