[The manifestation of sexual dimorphism in the preimago phases of 2 species of the genus Hyalomma (Ixodoidea, Ixodidae)]

Experiments on laboratory cultures of Hyalomma asiaticum and H. anatolicum have shown that at the nymphal phase sexual dimorphism manifests itself in statistically reliable differences between general sizes and mass of the body of male and female individuals. Larger nymphs moult mostly into females, small ones mostly into males. Reliable differences have been noted in the sizes of scutum, gnathosoma and its appendages in male and female nymphs of both species. At the larval phase sexual dimorphism does not manifest itself in the sizes of individuals.

Ixodes affinis Neumann (Acari: Ixodidae): new host and distribution records, description of immatures, seasonal activities in Georgia, and laboratory rearing

New host and distributional records, seasonal activities in Georgia, laboratory rearing data, and taxonomic description of nymphal and larval Ixodes affinis are presented. Our data expand the list of known natural hosts of this species, record for the first time several natural hosts of larvae and nymphs, provide information on feeding periods of all stages, preecdysial intervals, preovipositional, ovipositional, and incubational periods, as well as provide information on fecundity. The immatures are fully described and SEM micrographs of them are presented.

[Sexual dimorphism of the larvae and nymphs of the taiga tick--Ixodes persulcatus]

Manifestations of sexual dimorphism at the preimaginal phase was studied on the laboratory culture of Ixodes persulcatus. It has been found out that larger engorged larvae produce, in general, larger nymphs and smaller larvae produce smaller nymphs. The classification of engorged nymphs into large (over 2.9 mm) and small ones (less than 2.9 mm) has made it possible (with 100% probability) to obtain females from the former and males from the latter. Differences in linear sizes of scutum, gnathosoma and its appendages in male and female nymphs were determined that has made possible the identification of sex in hungry nymphs.

Hyalomma (Hyalommina) arabica: nymphal and larval identity and spiny mouse hosts in Saudi Arabia (Acarina: Ixodoidea: Ixodidae)

Nymphal and larval Hyalomma (Hyalommina) arabica Pegram, Hoogstraal, and Wassef, 1982, described herein, closely resemble those of Hyalomma (Hyalommina) rhipicephaloides Neumann, differing chiefly in body size (both stages), nymphal basis capituli and scutal proportional dimensions, and distinctness of larval coxal spurs. Females of these species are also structurally similar but males differ in major critical characters. Nymphs and larvae of both species parasitize the spiny mouse (Acomys spp.), but immatures of the third African- Arabian species of this subgenus, Hyalomma (Hyalommina) punt Hoogstraal, Kaiser, and Pedersen, are unknown. Hyalomma (Hyalommina) arabica occurs in valleys and hills of western Saudi Arabia and western Yemen; H. (H.) rhipicephaloides in the Red Sea and Dead Sea areas; and H. (H.) punt in northeastern Somalia and eastern Ethiopia. The ibex (Capra ibex nubiana Cuvier) is probably the original host of adult H. (H.) arabica and H. (H.) rhipicephaloides; the related domestic goat is an important host of adults of the 3 species, which also parasitize domestic sheep. Gazelles are recorded hosts of adults of H. (H.) rhipicephaloides and H. (H.) punt and the latter is also recorded from goats, sheep, camels and cattle.

Clarification of the status of Rhipicephalus kochi Dönitz, 1905 (Ixodoidea, Ixodidae)

Figures of the types of Rhipicephalus kochi, and of its synonym Rhipicephalus neavei Warburton, 1912, are presented. These are accompanied by complete descriptions of all stages of R. kochi, illustrated with scanning electron microscope photographs. The basic differences between this species, Rhipicephalus pravus Dönitz, 1910 and Rhipicephalus punctatus Warburton, 1912 are outlined. R. kochi occurs south of the Equator in parts of eastern, central and southern Africa. Its adults feed most commonly on cattle, various antelopes and wild pigs, and on hares. Little is known about the hosts of the immature stages; nymphae have been recorded in a field collection once only, from Petrodromus tetradactylus, the 4-toed elephant shrew.

Notes on African Haemaphysalis ticks, XIII. identity of H. (Rhipistoma) cooleyi, a parasite of the rock hyrax in South Africa (Acarina: Ixodidae)

The lectotype male, allotype female, and paratype nymph of Haemaphysalis (Rhipistoma) cooleyi Bedford, 1929, a parasite of the rock hyrax, Procavia capensis, in the Transvaal, are redescribed and illustrated to provide reliable criteria for differentiating between haemaphysaline parasites of hyraxes. Keys are included for identifying adults of these Haemaphysalis ssp. (orientalis Nuttall & Warburton, 1915; bequaerti Hoogstraal, 1956; cooleyi Bedford, 1929; hyracophila Hoogstraal, Walker & Neitz, 1971).

Rhipicephalus zambeziensis sp. Nov., a new tick from eastern and southern africa, together with a redescription of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Neumann, 1901 (Acarina, Ixodidae)

All stages of Rhipicephalus zambeziensis sp. nov. are described from laboratory-reared specimens of a strain originating from cattle near West Nicholson, Gwanda District, Zimbabwe. The redescription of all stages of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus is based primarily on laboratory-reared specimens of a strain originating from a mountain reedbuck (Redunca fulvorufula), Loskop Dam Nature Reserve, Transvaal, Republic of South Africa. The differences between these 2 species are discussed briefly. Details of the life cycle of R. zambeziensis under laboratory conditions are given, and attempts to cros-breed this species with R. appendiculatus are described and discussed.

Ixodes (Afrixodes) matopi n. sp. (Acarina: Ixodidae): a tick found aggregating on pre-orbital gland scent marks of the klipspringer in Zimbabwe

Ixodes (Afrixodes) matopi n. sp. is described from females and males collected off twigs bearing deposits of intraspecific communication marks secreted by the pre-orbital glands of the klipspringer Oreotragus oreotragus and from laboratory-reared immature specimens. One female was also found on a goat. The 4 collections were all from Zimbabwe, 3 of them from Matabeleland South Province and the fourth from Inyanga District, Zimbabwe.

[Sergentomyia (Rondanomyia) ingrami Newstead, 1914, Sergentomyia (Rondanomyia) dureni Parrot, 1934 and Sergentomyia hamoni Abonnenc, 1958 (Diptera Phlebotomidae). Morphology of immature stages and biocological accounts. (author's transl)]

Immature stages of S. ingrami, S. dureni and S. hamoni have been obtained in laboratory culture. The morphological characters of egg, larva and pupa are studied, the duration of post-embryonic development is specified. The chaetotaxy of fourth-instar larvae of S. hamoni is distinguishable from the other species described.

Feulgen-DNA absorption spectrum of euchromatin and constitutive heterochromatin

When the heterochromatin and euchromatin of Triatoma infestans are maximally depurinated, their Feulgen-DNA spectral profiles exhibit a shoulder at about lambda = 530 nm. The shoulder is especially prominent in the curves of the heterochromatin. It is assumed that this pattern is related to richness in repetitive DNA in the heterochromatin, favoring appearance of Schiff reagent molecules di-substituted with adjacent apurinic acid aldehydes.

[Anomalohimalaya lotozkyi sp. n., a new species of ixodid ticks from the Peter the First Range (Ixodoidea, Ixodidae)]

Anomalohimalaya lotozkyi sp. n., the second species of this genus, was found in Tadzhikistan, Peter I ridge, at the height of 2700 m above the sea level in rocky locality with xerophilous vegetation on Alticola argentatus. In June, 1977 there were found larvae and nymphs of the species. After feeding larvae and then nymphs females and males were obtained. All phases of the life cycle differ distinctly from those of the type species An. lama Hoog., Kais. et Mitch., 1970, from Himalayas. The diagnosis of the genus Anomalohimalaya is specified. This genus combines the characters of Haemaphysalis Koch and Rhipicephalus Koch and is of great significance for more precise definition of phylogeny of the subfamily Amblyomminae Banks.

Ultrastructure of some cutaneous sense organs in Dermacentor marginatus nymphs

The fine structure of the integumentary glands and mechanoreceptory setae in Dermacentor marginatus nymphs is described. The integumentary gland is localized in the epidermal layer and secretory products pass through the duct lumen and two cuticular lips to the surface. Ultrastructure of cuticular cavity represents triangular form with lateral folds. The mechanoreceptor setae are composed of glandular cells localized in the epidermal layer and cuticular setae movably articulated to the cuticle by means of a compact fibrillar ring around the base.

[Sergentomyia (Sergentomyia) bedfordi firmatus Parrot and Malbrant, 1945 and Sergentomyia (Sergentomyia) bedfordi medius Kirk and Lewis, 1950 (Diptera, Phlebotomidae). Morphology of immature stages and bioecological accounts (author's transl)]

Immature stages of S. bedfordi firmatus and S. bedfordi medius have been obtained in laboratory culture. The morphological characters of egg, larva and pupa are studied, the duration of post-embryonic development and the conditions of colonization are specified.

Ixodes (Afrixodes) Bakeri Arthur & Clifford, 1961 (Acarina: Ixodidae): description of the male and immature stages from rodents and insectivores and notes on its biology in South Africa

The male, nymph and larva of Ixodes (A), bakeri are described and illustrated with line drawings and scanning electron microscope photographs. This species was originally described from 1 female from Otomys sp., Nyika Plateau, Malawi. The present material consists of 28 collections from insectivores and 19 collections from rodents, Van Riebeeck Nature Reserve, Transvaal, plus 1 collection from a rodent in the Jonkershoek Valley, Cape Province, Republic of South Africa. Its biology in South Africa is also discussed.

[Endocrine control of oogenesis during the fifth nymphal stage of Panstrongylus megistus (Hemiptera, Heteroptera: Reduviidae)]

Cautery of the neurosecretory cells of the pars intercerebralis, 48 hrs after feeding, of Panstrongylus megistus fifth instar, prevents the development of the ovaries, and stops the physiological processes that lead to the differentiation of oögonies into primary oöcytes.

[Little-known parasite of wild birds, Ixodes caledonicus Nuttall, 1910, in the fauna of the USSR (Ixodoidea, Ixodidae)]

Ixodes caledonicus differs from the most allied species I. berlesei at all active phases of its life cycle. In the USSR I. caledonicus is distributed in the Ukraine-in the Crimea, on Tarkhankut and Kerch Peninsulars, in Azerbaijan-in the south-eastern spurs of the Creat Caucasian ridge and in the midcourse of the river Araks, in Tadzhikistan-on the southern slope of the Gissar ridge. The species is reported from Great Britain, Sweden, FRG and Poland. I. caledonicus belongs to a nest-burrow type of parasites, is recorded from mountain and elevated regions, lives in rocks. Birds nesting in rocks serve as its hosts. Differential (as regards I. berlesei) diagnoses of female, nymph and larva are given.

Ixodes (Afrixodes) drakensbergensis n. sp. from domestic and wild animals in Natal, Republic of South Africa

Ixodes (Afrixodes) drakensbergensis n. sp., is described from females, males, nymphs and larvae collected on a drag at Giant's Castle Nature Reserve, Natal, Republic of South Africa; it was also taken from an eland in the same area and from goats and a cow in the adjacent Tank Area 118. The occurrence of I. (A.) drakensbergensis on domestic animals suggests that it may be of economic importance in this area. Information is provided to separate the new species from other closely related Ixodes species that occur or may occur in this region.

Taxonomy of Solenopotes Enderlein, 1904, with redescription of Linognathus panamensis Ewing (Linognathidae: Anoplura)

All the known species ofSolenopotesEnderlein, 1904 are discussed with a complete synonymy, major references, diagnoses, host associations and distribution; they areS. binipilosus(Fahrenholz, 1916a);S. burmeisteri(Fahrenholz, 1919);S. capillatusEnderlein, 1904;S. capreoliFreund, 1935a;S. ferrisi(Fahrenholz, 1919);S. muntiacusThompson, 1938;S. natalensisLedger, 1970 andS. tarandi(Mjöberg, 1915). The species ofSolenopotesare compared on the basis of major taxonomic characters.SolenopotesandLinognathusare compared and a key to the known species ofSolenopotesis also presented. Taxonomic relationships among the cervid-infesting species are quantitatively studied. The status ofLinognathus panamensisEwing, 1927, previously assigned toSolenopotes, is discussed and the species is redescribed and illustrated.

The time of determination of gynoparae and males in the bird cherry-oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi

Apterous exules of Rhopalosiphum padi which experienced short photoperiods only during the first half of their nymphal life all produced gynoparae which made up 57% of the offspring produced in the first 7 days of the mother's reproductive life. Short photoperiods during the second half of a mother's nymphal life did not induce the production of gynoparae. However, when short photoperiods were experienced throughout a mother's nymphal life significantly more gynoparae (82%) were produced. Ten per cent of the offspring of mothers that experienced short photoperiods only during their adult life developed into gynoparae. Of the offspring reared in short photoperiods, but born to mothers reared and kept in long photoperiods, 30% developed into gynoparae. When mothers were exposed to short photoperiods in their adult life and their offspring so treated, then 90% of the offspring developed into gynoparae. Males only occurred amongst the last offspring of mothers that experienced short photoperiods in either the first or the second half of their nymphal life.