Amblyomma Life Cycle

Ticks constitute the Suborder Ixodida, of the acarine Order Parasitiformes, and are exclusively parasitic. The Ixodida contain three families, the Ixodidae , Argasidae , and Nuttalliellidae. The specimens collected in our data are of the Amblyomma genus falling under the Ixodidae family. (Horak et al., 2002).
Amblyomma life cycle includes four stages: the egg, larva, nymph with only one nymphal instar, and adult. All ticks feed on blood during some or all stages in their lifetime because they are considered obligate ectoparasites. Furthermore, Amblyomma larvae attack hosts, feed, detach, and develop in sheltered microenvironments where they molt to nymphs. Similarly, nymphs will seek hosts, feed, drop, and molt to adults. After reaching adulthood, ticks will again seek for hosts to feed, and in the case of engorged Ixodid females, will leave the host to lay their eggs in a secured location.
Moreover, blood-feeding begins
They are also of veterinary concern mostly because of the many microbial disease agents they can transmit to livestock, companion animals, and wildlife. The debilitating and sometimes fatal host reactions produced in domesticated livestock and companion animals as a result of the feeding activities of certain species adds to the impact of these ticks. Diseases associated with Amblyomma include but are not limited to: tularemia, ehrlichiosis, Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF), and boutonneuse fever. Among the biological factors that contribute to the high vector potential of ticks are their persistent blood-sucking habit, longevity, high reproductive potential, relative freedom from natural enemies, and highly sclerotized bodies that protect them from environmental stresses (Sonenshine,