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. 
TaBLeE XI.—Incubation period and larval longevity of Ornithodoros megnint. 
ng in 
Mini- Temperature during incubation 
. mum 
Eggs deposited. ee incuba- All larvee dead. ; ie Average | ‘Total 
tion Maxi- Mini- daily eileg 
period. mum. mum. mean. hinges 
1908. 1908. Days. tl a a De oR: 
Mar. 150 No.0 3325 sae Apr. 4 Dhl cis eee emeaee 88.0 46.0 68. 03 526. 17 
De Ree eee Apr. 16 OT te eh dn ste Stace ates 85.0 49.0 68. 72 540. 00 
Mayowd2esesactes eeeeeae May 26 DSM oe ante 87.0 65. 0 76. 07 496. 00 
11S eer ese eS sdo2 | oe ce os ee 87.0 65.0 76. 07 463.00 
Pye ee May 27 DSRS? Stace. SELES ee 87.0 67.0 76. 98 441.75 
Aes eee SU eee May 28 1D) eee es eA eae 87.0 68.0 77.33 412.00 
DOE ea os We ee eae June 6 12 | Before July 9.... 88. 5 70.0 80. 64 444. 50 
Ot ES aU are ter ME June 8 Lita ears donee ae 90.0 70.0 81.30 421. 25 
DUNC. 4p set ne eee ees June 15 NRHP ARG eee Oe eee a 91.5 69.0 80. 19 446, 25 
Site eee cS Re June 20 13 | Before July 9.... 91.5 69.0 80. 29 484.75 
18) Fee ae Reet June 29 AM b ibe thie aa eee 90.0 73.0 81. 63 461. 50 
Fe leer pees ety 3 July 10 125 ||| Fibers a 93.0 70.5 81.00 456. 00 
Sealy BGs aaths Om | eR Aug. 4 10-702. bee ae 95.0 78.0 85.75 427. 50 
Si se et ie yaelies Aug. 9 IO} aces See eee 99.0 73.0 86. 25 432. 50 
