Experimental Infestation of Gallus galluswith Ornithodoros (Alectorobius) amblus(Ixodoidea: Argasidae)

Ornithodoros (Alectorobius) amblus</it> Chamberlin 1920 specimens were collected from a seagull (Larus</it> spp.) nest in northern Chile. This reports the occurrence of this species outside Peru. The biology of 79 specimens reared under laboratory conditions at 27°C, 75–80% RH, and total darkness was determined. A 13% mortality rate from larval to adult was observed. Larval ticks were fed on chicks, Gallus gallus domesticus</it>; and nymphs and adults were fed on chickens. We recorded the number of eggs per female per gonotrophie cycle and the mean duration of the periods of preoviposition, oviposition, and incubation. The total duration of their life cycle ranged from 111 to 239 d, depending on the number of molts. Males were found after die 4th molt, and after the 5th molt the proportion of females was greater than that of males or remaining nymphs. The feeding period of larvae was 4–6 d, N1 nymphs do not feed. The N2–N6 nymphs, males and females, had a 10- to 60-min feeding period. From N2 on, there was emission of coxal fluid while on the host and during or immediately after feeding.