Molting of engorged nymphs of Amblyomma testudinarium (Acari: Ixodidae)

Abstract

In June 2021, two engorged nymphal Amblyomma testudinarium obtained from human bodies in Toyama Prefecture, Japan, were reared in total darkness at room temperature, and their morphological changes over time were recorded. The ticks were observed and photographed almost every day. The engorged nymphal ticks molted into adult male ticks in an average of 29.5 days after they were detached. After more than a week, a liquid oozed out in dots from the ticksʼ body surface, and the amount of liquid increased with time. After the liquid dried up, a cleft appeared on the side of the body, from which the adult male A. testudinarium emerged.