Bionomics and health importance of fowl tick Argas (Persicargas) persicus (Oken, 1818) (Ixodoidea: ARgasidae).

The fowl tick Argas (Persicargas) persicus occurs in warm areas of Slovakia, where its distribution is limited by the 650-700 mm annual average isohyet and the +8 degrees C annual average isotherm. In Slovakia, larvae hatch from spring to autumn, and nymphal and adult moultings occur chiefly in July and August. Larvae feed for four days, nymphs and adults for less than one hour. The tick develops and reproduces during the warm season in the wild but throughout the year under favourable laboratory conditions in which the life cycle requires 17 months.