Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 April 2009
The fertility rate of eggs of the tick, Ornithodorus moubata, was investigated with the following results:
(1) Although three batches of eggs can be laid after a single mating, fertility is considerably improved if a fresh mating take place before each oviposition.
(2) Fertility of the eggs decreases with the interval between mating and oviposition (the latter takes place usually only after a blood meal).
(3) If the organ of Géné is faulty (permanently everted) none of the eggs will develop.
(4) Eggs have a wide tolerance of temperature, and show no alteration in fertility rate from 22 to 32° C. At 34° C. no larvae are produced at all.
(5) Females lay over twice as many eggs in sand as they do on a flat surface such as filter paper.