Authors: Labruna, Marcelo B.; Amaku, Marcos; Metzner, João Augusto; Pinter, Adriano; Ferreira, Fernando

Source: Journal of Medical Entomology, Volume 40, Number 2, March 2003 , pp. 170-178(9)

Publisher: Entomological Society of America

Abstract:

Previous studies have determined that Amblyomma cajennense (F.) produces one generation per year in Southeastern Brazil. Larvae predominate from April to July, nymphs from July to October, and adults from October to March. In the current study, we observed engorged females, their eggs, and respective larvae in the field. Engorged females were released in grass plots under natural conditions, at monthly intervals, from October 2000 to March 2001. Preoviposition periods lasted 1-2 wk, and mean egg incubation periods lasted 5-7 wk. Consequently, larvae hatched at different periods from early December 2000 to early April 2001. However, all hatched larvae stayed confined to the plot ground, under the vegetation, until late April or early May 2001, when some larvae were seen questing on top of vegetation for the first time. Thereafter, larvae were always seen on this questing position until August 2001, when all larvae had died on the plots. In addition, premolt period data of engorged larvae and nymphs held in laboratory at different temperatures were used to construct a premolt mathematical model, which was applied to reported seasonal dynamic data of A. cajennense in the field. The premolt model indicated that the field intervals between larvae and nymphs and between nymphs and adults are controlled solely by nondiapause events, such as ground temperature. We concluded that the 1-yr generation pattern of A. cajennense in Southeastern Brazil is primarily controlled by larval behavioral diapause, shown by larvae born during spring/summer months, before their activity period at next autumn.

Keywords: Amblyomma cajennense; diapause; premolt period; Brazil

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2003-03-01

More about this publication?

• Journal of Medical Entomology is published bimonthly in January, March, May, July, September, and November. The journal publishes reports on all phases of medical entomology and medical acarology, including the systematics and biology of insects, acarines, and other arthropods of public health and veterinary significance.
  
  The journal is divided into the following sections: Morphology, Systematics, Evolution; Sampling, Distribution, Dispersal; Development, Life History; Population and Community Ecology; Behavior, Chemical Ecology; Population Biology/Genetics; Molecular Biology/Genomics; Neurobiology, Physiology, Biochemistry; Vector Control, Pest Management, Resistance, Repellents; Arthropod/Host Interaction, Immunity; Vector/Pathogen/Host Interaction, Transmission; Vector-Borne Diseases, Surveillance, Prevention; Direct Injury, Myiasis, Forensics; Modeling/GIS, Risk Assessment, Economic Impact. In addition to full-length research articles, the journal publishes interpretive articles in a Forum section, Short Communications, Rapid Communications, and Book Reviews.
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