64 LIFE HISTORY OF NORTH AMERICAN TICKS. 
Although not recorded from Cuba, the species has probably been 
introduced there with cattle from the mainland, as large shipments 
of cattle from the infested districts are frequently made. 
LIFE HISTORY. 
Observations on the life history and habits of this species have been 
reported by Townsend (1893), by Hunter and Hooker (1907), and by 
Hooker (1908). 
The egg.—With this species oviposition does not commence until 
mating has taken place. Large numbers of females have been iso- 
lated as nymphs in pill boxes and kept under observation for long 
periods after molting but in no case were eggs deposited in the absence 
of males. Where females after molting were at once placed in pill 
boxes with males, oviposition commenced in a comparatively short 
time. Of 13 females thus isolated, 3 commenced oviposition on the 
eighth day after molting; all had commenced on or before the 
twelfth day, with one exception, in which case eggs were first laid on 
the fifteenth day. The largest number of eggs deposited by any one 
of these 13 ticks was 1,546, the minimum number was 358, and the 
average 814. The eggs last deposited by any of the 13 ticks were 
laid 191 days after the ticks molted. 
Oviposition in this species is remarkable on account of its inter- 
mittent nature. One tick ceased deposition for a period of 83 days, — 
then deposited a considerable number of eggs. This phenomenon is 
evidently not dependent upon climatic conditions. 
The minimum incubation period observed in the laboratory was 10 
days; 412° F. of effective temperature appear to be required for 
embryonic development. 
Taste XI.—Incubation period and larval longevity of Ornithodoros megnini. 
Mini- Temperature during incubation. 
. mum 
Eggs deposited. aves incuba- All larvee dead. ; or Average | Total 
tion Maxi- Mini- At eirees 
period. ? mum, mum, sare tive 
| ———— 
1908 1908 Days. oF, or oo or 
Mar Vb u6 nc sae ate Apr. 4 QU Ges Soe atanctesmn eee 88.0 46.0 68. 03 526. 17 
Dhanece oh ace eae Apr. 16 QL Sais Aes diestne ee 85.0 49.0 68. 72 540. 00 
MSY Lene teesw coasters May 26 15 |sxeees fvereeieed 87.0 65.0 76.07 496. 00 
1b Soe eee secon E5G0e =)x5 TF. le Se Poe MMR eine 87.0 65. 0 76.07 463. 00 
BS bse eto h ae Bae May 27 Tt ios. See esas 8 87.0 67.0 76.98 441.75 
Dijsets A Ses cL May 28 LD het ae = eae rae stejeie s 87.0 68. 0 77.33 412.00 
Dior ee ee ck Sock ate June 6 12 | Before July 9.... 88.5 70.0 80. 04 444. 50 
72! Oe ae er es June 8 nb i eee GOrscccesncs 90.0 70.0 81.30 421.25 
SJidh at) BEC thee” See ee eats June 15 TF ede Ons cto cies 3 91.5 69.0 80. 19 446. 25 
eee eee June 20 13 | Before July 9.... 91.5 69.0 80. 29 484.75 
| eee ae See eee ae June 29 12) | Webby WS eee Te 90.0 73.0 81. 63 461. 50 
Pee Wr es Dee eee July 10 1D) jaye ee 93.0 70.5 81.00 456. 00 
Jb ys- SOS es seek Ses. . See Aug. 4 IO ab swanaenes so cctee 95.0 78.0 85. 75 427. 50 
OIL EGY as seenaswarene Aug. 9 BL DS 5 5 a oe 99.0 73.0 86. 25 432. 50 
