[Morphofunctional changes in the midgut of virgin tick females of the genus ixodes (Acarina: Ixodidae) during and after feeding].

The midgut epithelium of the virgin females in Ixodes ricinus, L. pacificus, and I. persulcatus is represented by the digestive cells of nymphal phase and stem cells. Digestion of feed is performed by the one generation of digestive cells of nymphal phase and two generations of digestive cells of adult females. The generation of secretory cells and two generations of digestive cells are absent. The feeding of virgin females is not completed but interrupted in the second phase during the period of slow feeding and preparation of the intestine for the third phase.