Experimental and Applied Acarology (2003) 29, 121-130

R.O. Maranga, A. Hassanali, G.P. Kaaya and J.M. Mueke (2003)
Attraction of Amblyomma variegatum (ticks) to the attraction-aggregation-attachment-pheromone with or without carbon dioxide
Experimental and Applied Acarology 29 (1-2), 121-130
Abstract: The responses of adult Amblyomma variegatum ticks released from various distances to different doses of the synthetic attraction-aggregation-attachment pheromone (AAAP) (made up of ortho-nitrophenol, methyl salicylate and nonanoic acid in paraffin oil), dispensed from the center of circular field plots, were studied in the presence or absence of elevated levels of CO₂. Up to 90% of the ticks released were attracted to the pheromone source in the presence of CO₂ within 3h. CO₂ alone was unattractive, similar to previous findings in Zimbabwe, but unlike results from a Caribbean A. variegatum population, which was significantly attracted to this signal. In the absence of CO₂, smaller but significant proportions of the released ticks were attracted to the pheromone, albeit more slowly, suggesting another variation in the responses of this bont tick to inter- and intra-specific signals. Our results are interpreted in the light of a study undertaken elsewhere demonstrating relatively high heterozygosity among tick populations. Possible directions of further research to explore the use of the pheromone in off-host control of the tick are also highlighted.
(The abstract is excluded from the Creative Commons licence and has been copied with permission by the publisher.)
Link to article at publishers website
Database assignments for author(s): Rosebella O. Maranga, Ahmed Hassanali, Godwin P. Kaaya

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
pheromones/attractants/traps

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Amblyomma variegatum		Kenya