-132- 



Feeding . Although some females accepted a blood meal within 24 

 hrs of eclosion, most fed between 72 and 96 hours posteclosion. In 

 the laboratory, feeding occurred at all hours of the day and night, at 

 temperatures ranging from 23°C to 27°C, and with no noticeable 

 periodicity. Maximum feeding occurred when 3 to 4-day-old females 

 were restrained in a 120-ml feeding vial and the screen feeding lid 

 placed against the skin surface of the host (man, rabbit or dog). 

 Hungry females usually fed to repletion in ten minutes when restrained 

 in this manner. By offering a blood meal three times per week, an 

 estimated 97% of the females fed. Females fed but with less avidity 

 on anesthetized hamsters and mice, or on the hand of the author, when 

 these were placed inside the mating chamber. They bit the hamsters 

 and mice on the ears, nose, around the eyes, on the foot pads and on 

 the tail. 



Hungry females hopped nervously about the feeding vial or mating 

 chamber when a host was offered. This activity increased when the 

 author exhaled lightly into the feeding vial or mating chamber, 

 presumably in response to increased levels of C02- Upon contacting 

 the surface of the host's skin, the female stroked it once or twice 

 with her palpi, probed with the fascicle until she located a suitable 

 site, then plunged it into the skin in one quick, crouching motion. 

 Once inserted, the mouthparts usually remained in place until the 

 female was replete. On occasion, feeding was interrupted and the 

 female moved to a new location and resumed feeding. During the 

 feeding period the female's abdomen swelled tremendously and turned 

 bright red. Feedings lasted an average of about 6 minutes and ranged 

 from one to 18 minutes. After withdrawing her mouthparts, the replete 



