PHOTOPERIODIC INDUCTION OF DIAPAUSE IN THE KANGAROO TICK ORNITHODOROS GURNEYI WARBURTON (ACARINA: ARGASIDAE)

Abstract

Short photoperiod (LD 8:16) induces a reproductive diapause in females of the kangaroo tick Ornithodoros gurneyi. Both engorged and unengorged ticks are sensitive to short photoperiod: females which have oviposited retain their sensitivity. Ticks buried beneath 3 mm of desert sand are effectively shielded from light and so diapause in such females is independent of photoperiod. The relevance of this mechanism to the ecology of O. gurneyi is discussed. Copyright © 1975, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved