546 Genus Haema^jhysalis 



1^ hours; the majority, however, engorge in 2-3 hours, whilst some 

 feed for 20 hours. Their bodies appear bright red at first owing to the 

 blood ingested, but after some days they assume a bluish hue. 



The Nymphs are often ready to feed a few days after emergence; 

 they gorge rapidly ; some are replete within 1 hour, the majority gorge 

 within 2 hours, whilst others remain longer upon the host, but in no 

 case do they remain attached longer than 24 hours upon a mammal. 

 They suck blood for longer periods when attached to cold-blooded 

 animals (lizards) at room-temperature. 



The Females may remain attached to the host for weeks whilst 

 awaiting the male, during which time they appear but partially fed. 

 In the presence of the male, i.e. when the female is fecundated, she 

 usually grows replete and abandons the host in about 8 days. 



Time required for metamorphosis. 



Egg to Larva: the larvae emerge 7-8 weeks after the eggs are 

 laid when the latter are kept at 18° C. 



Larva to Nymph: the nymphs emerge after 17 days at 25° C, the 

 time being reckoned from when they di-opped off the host as gorged 

 larvae. 



Nymph to Adult: an exceptionally long time is required for 

 metamorphosis at this stage. When the nymphs have fully gorged 

 themselves they moult after 6 months at 15-25° C, some may, however, 

 require 10 months, and incompletely fed specimens are found to be 

 still active after 16 months. 



Observations relating to oviposition. 



Oviposition usually begins on the 5-6th week (at 18° C.) after the 

 replete and fecundated female has abandoned the host. The eggs are 

 large, dark salmon-coloured, and only number about 200 per female. 



Season. 



From the table on p. 54-4, which contains Brumpt's observations on 

 H. inermis and H. concinna, we learn that the adults of H. inermis 

 occur on doer in France during the six months November to April 

 inclusive. Observations for the four months May- August are lacking. 

 The ticks were not found in September-October. 



