Fig. 1

In vitro feeding unit. a Schematic representation: The wells of the upper layer contained the test serum or blood (1). The top was covered with an Elisa plate seal or Parafilm to maintain sterility. This layer was separated from the second layer by the feeding membrane that was placed with the silicone side facing downwards (2). The wells of the second layer contained the ticks (3). To contain the ticks, this layer was separated from the third layer with netting (4). The third layer functioned as support and allowed gas exchange between the environment and the tick compartments (5). b A frontal view of the unit. c Top view of the feeding unit, R. australis larvae can be seen through the membrane