The lengths, breadths and areas of eggs oviposited at different times by female ticks (Amblyomma variegatum) of weight 2–3 and 0.5–1 were compared. The hatching patterns as well as mortality rates of different ovipositions of female A. variegatum of weight 2–3 g were studied at various incubation temperatures.
The eggs produced by female ticks of A. variegatum of weight 2–3 g were generally longer and broader, with a greater area also than those produced by female ticks of weight 0.5–1 g. The hatching pattern was influenced only by temperature and not by the order of oviposition of the eggs. The period of completion of all hatchings and the day of peak hatching vary according to the temperature at which the eggs were incubated. The occlusion periods of the eggs varied with their order of oviposition. It was longest in the first oviposition and shorter in the subsequent ones. Temperature also influenced the rate of mortality of the eggs. Mortality was low among eggs incubated at 24°C and rotational temperature.
