The Effect of Temperature and Relative Humidity on Moulting of Engorged Larvae and Nymphs of Rhipicephalus turanicus Pomerantzer, 1936

The effect of 10, 20, 24, 28 and 35ºC on the survival of engorged larvae and nymphs of Rhipicephalus turanicus Pomerantzer, 1936 at 33, 44, 64, 76 and 97% relative humidity (RH) was investigated. The survival of engorged larvae and nymphs at 10ºC was proportional to the increase in the RH level. The highest survival rate of R. turanicus engorged larvae and nymphs (193 and 245days respectively) occurred at 33% RH. Furthermore, the survival of the unfed instars of the tick proved to be proportional to RH., but inversely proportional to temperature. The unfed larvae and nymphs were least tolerant to low RH levels at the warmer temperature of 35ºC followed by the unfed nymphs and then by the unfed females. The optimal temperature and RH detected for the development of larvae and nymphs of R. turanicus proved to be 28°C and 97% RH.