Published online by Cambridge University Press: 06 April 2009
In November 1912, through the courtesy of Mr S. W. J. Scholefield, Prof. Nuttall received fourteen living nymphs of Argas brumpti from Kitui, British East Africa. As only the adults and later stage nymphs of this species are known, an attempt was made to raise the species in the laboratory.
1 Very little is known regarding the biology of Argas brumpti. Nuttall and Warburton (1908) write regarding the habitat of this species: “Dr Brumpt (9. v. 1908) informs us that he found A. brumpti in dusty sheltered hollowed out places beneath overhanging calcareous rocks, into which opened porcupine (Hystrix sp.) burrows. The ledges of rock were situated along the rocky bed of a torrent, and the floors of the hollows, which were about 5 ft. deep, consisted of fine dust about 15 cm. in depth, numerous bones of small mammalia lying upon it. After A. brumpti had fed, it promptly buried itself in the dust. The ticks wander about at night and Dr Brumpt was unable to catch any during the daytime.”
In Feb. 1913, Prof. Nuttall received further information concerning the habitat of this tick from Mr S. W. J. Scholefield, who states that he found them in the dust of an antheap when looking for big game, in the Yatta Plains, British East Africa. The natives say it only feeds on large animals: elephant, buffalo, eland and giraffe; and that when it bites man it causes great pain and sickness. The natives call both A. brumpti and O. savignyi “Kituñu.” “A. brumpti is said to be always obtainable in the dust where big game roll.”