Figure 1

Artificial feeding system for O. hermsi. (a) The chamber consists of a polycarbonate tube sealed at the bottom with parafilm (that serves as the membrane) and enclosed on the top with mosquito netting. (b) Ticks are safely contained within the chamber and the parafilm membrane is lightly covered with mouse hair that may act as a phagostimulant. (c) The upper rubber O-ring holds the mosquito netting in place while the lower O-ring can be adjusted to maintain the chamber at the proper height in the blood. (d) After incubation, most ticks have fed to repletion.