Attraction of male Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks to females in relation to feeding

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Veterinary Parasitology

Publication Date

1-1-1976

Abstract

Five experiments were carried out on the movement of partially fed male Rhipicephalus appendiculatus ticks on rabbits towards other ticks of the same species. Male ticks pre-fed for 5 days were attracted towards pre-fed females, slightly attracted towards other pre-fed males, but not attracted towards nymphal ticks or recently relinquished feeding sites of adult or nymphal ticks. Female ticks fed for 5 days or longer were particularly attractive to male ticks which had also fed for 5 days or longer. Eight-week-old female ticks were most attractive to males, and 8-week-old male ticks most attracted to females. It is suggested that the male ticks may be attracted to the females by means of a sex pheromone, as has been shown in other ixodid tick species. © 1976.

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