Effects of temperature and tick weight on expression of autogeny in the argasid tick Ornithodoros parkeri Cooley (acari: Argasidae).

The effects of different temperatures on the expression of autogenic development in unfed/mated Ornithodoros parkeri Cooley females were examined. High temperature (29 C) induced autogeny in lower, middle and higher weight classes (11-20, 21-30, 31-40 mg, respectively) with all females in the highest weight class and most in the middle weight class ovipositing within 51 days post-mate. At a lower temperature (21 C) autogenic development was not expressed by higher and middle weight females, whereas lower weight females exhibited similar degrees of autogeny at both temperatures. Results are discussed in relation to presumptive factors involved in the control and mediation of autogeny.