Estimation of the biological age in females of the taiga tick (Ixodes persulcatus: Ixodidae) by changing of fat resources in the organism

The method of estimation of the biological age in hungry tick females by revealing of the degree of lipid inclusions in the cells of the midgut and of the fat body is assumed. In order to estimate the degree of fat reserves in hungry females, live ticks were dissected and fragments of their internal organs were vitally stained with the saturated solution of Sudan III in 70% ethanol. Three age-specific groups were established, including (I) young females whose intestines and fat body were filled with fat inclusions; (II) mature females whose fat reserves were partially expended; and (III) old females possessing solitary fat inclusions in their midgut and fat body.