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Journal of Experimental Biology 50,705-709 (1969)
Published by Company of Biologists 1969

The Production of Cuticle Wax by Engorged Females of the Cattle Tick, Boophilus Microplus (Canestrini)

LOIS M. CHERRY ¹

¹ Division of Entomology, CSIRO, Long Pocket Laboratories, Indooroopilly 4068, Brisbane; Sir William MacGregor School of Physiology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

Weight of cuticle wax produced by the engorged female cattle tick, Boophihis microplus (Canestrini), and loss of body weight during egg production, have been measured at intervals between dropping from the host and completion of egg laying.

2. Wax increased in weight from 20 to 63 µg. per tick between 6 and 222 hr. after dropping. This increase took place in two stages, with the steepest increase between 6 and 54 hr. and a smaller increase between 78 and 150 hr.

3. Body weight fell by 71% between 6 and 222 hr. The rate of loss was highest during early egg production, reaching its peak on the fourth day after dropping.

4. The most rapid increase in weight of cuticle wax took place before the onset of oviposition. During peak egg production the increase was slight. During the decline of egg production cuticle wax increased slowly in weight.

5. The possible physiological function of the increased wax secretion, and its relation to general metabolic activity, are discussed.