Effects of Temperatures and Dehydrating Conditions on Hyalomma dromedarii

Ticks are obligate ectoparasites, which infest every major vertebrate animal group, including man and feed on their blood. They are vectors of numerous pathogenic viruses, rickettsia, bacteria, protozoa and filaria. Many of these pathogens are transmitted to the host either directly during the tick bite or indirectly by contact with coxal fluids, excreta, or crushed bodies. The different stages in the life cycle of Hyalomma dromedarii were investigated under laboratory conditions. The larval, nymphal and adult ticks were all fed on rabbits at 25-27°C, 50% relative humidity (RH) and exposed to daylight. All free-living stages were maintained in an incubator at 26 ± 1°C, 70% RH and daylight conditions. The life cycle of H. The results confirmed the significant correlation between the mortality of the mature and immature stages and the temperature and the relative humidity.