Seasonal distribution of larvae and nymphs of Amblyomma tigrinum Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae)

Abstract

The seasonality of immature stages of Amblyomma tigrinum was studied in an area of theChaco phytogeographical province in Co´ rdoba, Argentina by monthly collection of larvaefrom ground feeding birds and Sigmodontinae rodents, and nymphs from Caviidae rodentsfrom May 2005 to April 2007. An apparent peak of abundance was found from December toMay but differences with other months of the year were not significant (P > 0.05). Theseand previous results suggest that the parasitic stages of A. trigrinum are active throughoutthe year and has more than one generation per year at the study site. Its life cycle appearsto be regulated by temperature with no occurrence of diapause.