DEVELOPMENT AND SURVIVAL OF CATTLE TICK IN BRACHIARIA-DECUMBENS PASTURE IN PEDRO LEOPOLDO, MG, BRAZIL

A study of the nonparasitic stages of cattle tick (Boophilus microplus, Canestrini, 1887) was carried out in the region of Pedro Leopoldo, MG, Brazil, during the period of November, 1983 and February, 1987. The development and survival of the nonparasitic stages of the cattle tick were investigated under field conditions. During the years 1983 to 1986, engorged female ticks were distributed freely in pastures of Brachiaria decumbens at intervals of 14 days to determine the period to hatching and of survival of the larval. The duration of eclosion and larval survival were influenced by climatic changes, principally in temperature, during the seasons varying from five weeks in the Summer to 16 weeks in the Autumn, and from eight weeks towards the end of Spring to 20 weeks in the Autumn, respectively. The hatching of larval of B. microplus and their presence in the pastures were detected during all the months of the year.