Studies on ticks of veterinary importance in Nigeria: intrinsic factors influencing oviposition and egg-hatch of Amblyomma variegatum under natural conditions.

During the peak of rains of 1983, 1984 and 1985 in the forest zone of Nigeria, female Amblyomma variegatum engorged to various weights were subjected to different experiments for the purpose of observing the intrinsic factors which influence oviposition and egg-hatch under natural conditions. Two types of oviposition patterns were observed. New terms were introduced to quantify the relationships between the daily weight loss and daily number of eggs oviposited by a tick. These terms are