INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE VOLATILITY OF FEMALE PHEROMONES AND THE AGGREGATION-INDUCING PROPERTY OF GUANINE IN ARGAS-(PERSICARGAS) WALKERAE

  • 1 January 1984
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 51  (3) , 197-201
Abstract
During investigations into the volatility of female pheromones of A. walkerae in a Y-shaped olfactometer, engorged conspecific male ticks responsed weakly both to female-contacted filter paper discs and to intact females enclosed in nylon bags. In tests in which female-contacted filter paper discs were separated from engorged male ticks by means of a screen, no aggregation was observed. Replete male ticks showed a vigorous response to liquefied air and hexane-trapped volatiles collected from intact females. Guanine showed a potent aggregation attraction for engorged and unfed larvae and 1st and 2nd stage nymphal ticks as well as for male and female imagines of A. walkerae over a wide concentration range. At least 2 Pheromones, 1 volatile and 1 non-volatile, are operative in the communication system of this tick species.