VPA 221 Veterinary Entomology and Acarology

Difference between ARGASIDAE

and IXODIDAE
Characters Argasidae Ixodidae
Morphological features
1.Capitulum
Location camerostome
Subterminal and not visible Terminal, visible from the
from the dorsal aspect dorsal aspect
except in larvae
2.Basis capitulum Porose area absent Porose areas in female on
dorsal aspect
3.Palps Leg like, 4 flexible articles, Only 3 articles or segments
subequal visible, 4th article recessed
in third
4.Chelicerae Teeth and spines present
Sheath smooth at distal
end to enable attachment
 Integument leathery, Smooth or sperfically striated
II Body mammilated or wrinkled in except where covered with
1.Body surface most species plates
2.Scutum Absent Present, covers the entire
body surface in males and 1/3
in case of females larvae and
nymph
Present
Absent
3.Festoons(plates on dorsal
posterior border)
4.Eyes Dorso lateral, one pair
Ventrolateral, two pairs between 1&2 pairs of legs
between 1&2 and 2&3 pairs of
legs
Small between coxae of 3& 4 Posterior to coxa 4
5.Spiracles pair of legs

6.Plates and grooves Absent Present

7.Coxal pore Present in adult and nymph Absent
III Legs
Coxae Unarmed Generally armed
Pulvilli Absent or rudimentary Present

IV sexual dimorphism Not marked marked

BIOLOGICAL FEATURES
Feeding
Intermittent, rapid in nymphs
and adult, slow in larvae, no
attachment cement, cuticle
expands but does not grow
Nymphal Instars
Many (2-8)
Mating
Off the host, single sex
pheromone
Reproduction
Few eggs deposited by female
after every blood meal(200-
300)
Oviposition
Repeated oviposition
Eggs
Waxed by Genes organ alone
Genes waxing organ
Emerges from the ventral side
Slow, secrete attachment
cement, cuticle grows to
accommodate massive blood
meal
One
On the host multi component
pheromone system
Mated females replete,
deposits thousands of
eggs(20,000)
Single, spent female dies after
oviposition
Initially by vagina by the
secretion of the accessory
glands and then by genes
organ
Slit on dorsal surface between
the scutum and basis
capitulum
Ecology Mostly nidicolous attcks nest, Mostly non nidicolous
Host seeking behaviour cave or burrow Ambush passing hosts

Seasonal activity Active throughout the year Active during warmer months

Open environment, like

Habitat Sheltered environments like forests, pasture etc
nest, cave etc

Survival/Life span Not as long lived, ranges from

Long lived, infrequent blood several months to 2 or 3 years,
meals and numerous nymphal less resistant to starvation
stages prolong life span, highly
resistant to starvation