Feeding of Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabr.) females depending on their age, origins and biotope of survival.

In Dermacentor reticulatus (Fabr., 1794) females originating from Slovakia and Poland the duration of feeding on host and its successful outcome depending on the age, origins of ticks and biotope of their survival was studied. In specimens older than a half year no influence of these factors on the duration of feeding was demonstrated. With increasing age the ability of full engorgement did no diminish. The data obtained indicate the possibility that a higher percentage of females of equal age engorge from the forest biotope than from the meadow biotope.