How to translate text using browser tools
1 November 2009 Influence of Photoperiod and Temperature on the Larval Behavioral Diapause of Amblyomma cajennense (Acari: Ixodidae)
Ricardo R. Cabrera, Marcelo B. Labruna
Author Affiliations +
Abstract

Larval behavioral diapause was shown to be the major factor controlling the 1-yr generation pattern of Amblyomma cajennense (F.) (Acari: Ixodidae) in Brazil. During fieldwork, this behavior was shown to coincide with long daylength (>12 h) and high mean ground temperature (≈25°C), which prevail during spring-summer in Brazil. The current study evaluated biological parameters of engorged females, their eggs, and the resultant larvae inside plastic pots planted with the grass Brachiaria decumbens Stapf. held in incubators set with different combinations of temperature and photoperiod. Both the long daylength (photoperiod 14:10 [L:D] h) and high temperature (25°C) during larval hatching induced larval behavioral diapause, characterized by the confinement of hatched larvae on the ground below the vegetation for many weeks. When long daylength was present during hatching, but temperature was low (15°C), larvae did not enter diapause. Similarly, when short daylength (10:14 or 12:12) was present during larval hatching, larvae did not enter diapause regardless whether temperature was high (25°C). Termination of diapause was induced by shifting photoperiod from 14:10 to 12:12 or the temperature from 25 to 15°C. When applied to field conditions, the present results indicate that both high ground mean temperature (≈25°C) and long daylength (>12 h) during spring-summer (October—March) are responsible for the induction and maintenance of A. cajennense larval behavioral diapause in the field. Furthermore, both the low ground mean temperature (≈20°C) and the short daylength (<12 h) during autumn (April—May) are responsible for termination of larval behavioral diapause in the field.

© 2009 Entomological Society of America
Ricardo R. Cabrera and Marcelo B. Labruna "Influence of Photoperiod and Temperature on the Larval Behavioral Diapause of Amblyomma cajennense (Acari: Ixodidae)," Journal of Medical Entomology 46(6), 1303-1309, (1 November 2009). https://doi.org/10.1603/033.046.0608
Received: 14 May 2009; Accepted: 1 July 2009; Published: 1 November 2009
JOURNAL ARTICLE
7 PAGES

This article is only available to subscribers.
It is not available for individual sale.
+ SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

KEYWORDS
Amblyomma cajennense
Brazil
diapause
Ixodidae
tick
RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS
Get copyright permission
Back to Top