A silicon-membrane based artificial feeding system for Amblyomma sculptum nymphs

Abstract

The aim of the study was to establish an artificial feeding system (AFS), based on siliconmembranes, for Amblyomma sculptum nymphs and compare it to classical feedingsystems using laboratory animals. Three cohorts of 60 nymphs were fed on a rabbit,calf, and with the newly established AFS using prewarmed (38 °C) defibrinated bovineblood. The attachment rate (38.3%) as well as the engorgement rate (36.7%) in the AFSwere both significantly lower (p = 0.0001; p = 0.0002) than in the animal-based feedingsystems (73.3–85%). Subsequent development of engorged nymphs was similar regardingengorgement weight (11.96–16.3 mg) and subsequent molting (78.3–100%) into adults inall three cohorts. The main limitations of the AFS are the low attachment and engorgementrates, which require further optimization to enhance initial attraction to the membrane, forinstance, by adding external attractants to the membrane or stimulating agents such as ATPto the bovine blood. Despite these limitations, the developed AFS provides a valuable toolfor future research on ticks, tick-borne diseases and drug efficacy.