Biological parameters of larvae, nymphs, and engorged females of Amblyomma cajennense (Fabricius, 1787) (Acari: Ixodidae) obtained from artificial and successive infestations on Oryctolagus cuniculus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lagomorpha: Ochotonidae)

The development of acquired resistance to Amblyomma cajennense ticks was evaluated. A total of 18 rabbits were uniformly distributed into three groups named GL, GN, and GA that were submitted to three consecutive infestations with, respectively, larvae, nymphs, and adults of A. cajennense. After the infestations, the parasitic and reproductive parameters of recovered instars were evaluated. A significant reduction of recovery rates of inoculated ticks was observed only after the third infestation of animals in groups GL and GN (P