Influência do peso inicial e da estação do ano na conversão em ovos de fêmeas de boophilus microplus (acari: ixodidae)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of initial weight and year season on egg conversion of Boophilus microplus females. The reproductive efficiency index (REI) of 411 Boophilus microplus engorged females weighing between 31 and 360 mg was correlated to their initial weights. To evaluated the seasonal effect on this biological parameter, biweekly, during two year, the REI was calculated on ten engorged females ticks weighing more than 150 mg and maintained in an incubator. A curvilinear relation was observed between the females weight and their REI. Females weighing from 150 to 360 mg had higher REI’s (varying from 44,9% to 51,4%) than those lighter which presented a lower conversion capacity (varying from 31,4% to 39,0%). The reproductive efficiency varied seasonally, that is, significantly higher index were observed in fall/winter (47,6% to 58,3%) months than in spring/summer months (40,2% to 43,6%).