Parasitism of Female Ixodes (Afrixodes) Moreli (Acari: Ixodidae) by Males

Abstract

Ixodes (Afrixodes) moreli males parasitized partially engorged females of the same species. Male attacks left darkcolored permanent scars on the female idiosoma. Parasitized females carried 1–9 scars, and up to 5 males were found feeding simultaneously on a single female. The preferred attachment site on the venter was along the genital groove. Females within a size range of 3.5–5.5 mm were most commonly attacked. In a sample of 204 males and 855 females, 32.4% of the males were parasitizing females, 31.4% were in copula, and 36.3% were free; 8.8% of the females were parasitized, 6.2% were in copula, 1.3% were parasitized and in copula, and 83.6% were free. Ixodes (A.) moreli males were never observed attached to host, and it is concluded that parasitism of the female is the only method by which the male feeds.