The subgenus Persicargas (Ixodoidea: Argasidae: Argas), 26. Argas (P.) arboreus: Effect of photoperiod on diapause induction and termination

Prefeeding exposure of female Argas (Persicargas) arboreus to short photoperiod (SP) induces diapause, expressed as oviposition delay for more than 40 days postfeeding. Diapause incidence increases as prefeeding SP exposure periods increase. Postfeeding SP exposure is not essential to maintain diapause. Postfeeding exposure to SP without prefeeding SP exposure does not induce diapause. A 2 week prefeeding exposure to long photoperiod (LP) terminates diapause in two-thirds of the females exposed to LP after feeding. The remaining one-third, which may differ genetically, require a 6 week LP prefeeding exposure to terminate diapause. An 8 week prefeeding exposure to LP is required to terminate diapause in females exposed to SP after feeding.