Life cycle of the tick, Haemaphysalis (Kaiseriana) bispinosa (Acari: Ixodidae) under laboratory conditions

Haemaphysalis (Kaiseriana) bispinosa is one of the widest-spread tick species in Southern Asia vectoring pathogens to wildlife and livestock animals. Understanding biological parameters of this species is of great importance, particularly when setting control plans or for epidemiological studies under laboratory conditions. The aim of this study was to figure out the biological aspects of H. (K.) bispinosa under laboratory conditions. Three continuous generations of this tick have been recorded. The study resulted in overall means of 10.6 +/- 2.46, 8.7 +/- 2.68, and 14.6 +/- 2.39 days for pre-oviposition period, oviposition, and egg incubation, respectively. Larvae needed means of 4.10 +/- 1.24 and 7.50 +/- 1.57 days for feeding and pre-moulting periods, respectively, whereas nymphs required means of 5.10 +/- 1.32 and 10.90 +/- 2.39 days for feeding and pre-moulting periods, respectively. Adult females engorged for a mean of 8.0 +/- 0.79 days. The entire life cycle averaged of 71.0 +/- 12.0 days. Adult females weighted an average of 47.6 +/- 14.8 mg, which produced egg masses that averaged 10.9 +/- 3.5 mg. The oviposition rate was 557 +/- 179.1 eggs/female with a peak oviposition on day 4. Hatchability rate with an average of 94.3 +/- 2.19% was recorded. Significant linear correlations between weight of engorged females and weight of egg mass, and with number of eggs laid were recorded (r = 0.90; P > 0.01; r = 0.89; P > 0.01, respectively). The life cycle of this tick species was ambiguous over the past, and finally has been cleared; therefore, it could be used in the future biological, epidemiological, and control investigations concerning this tick species.