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Aggregation pheromones in 2 Australian hard ticks, Ixodes holocyclus and Aponomma concolor

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Summary

The presence of an aggregation pheromone has been demonstrated for the first time in indigenous Australian ticks. Filter paper discs exposed to either Australian paralysis ticks Ixodes holocyclus or echidna ticks Aponomma concolor showed inter-sex or intra-sex attraction for ticks of their own species. Nymphal exuviae of Ap. concolor were highly attractive to adult ticks. Discs were significantly attractive to I. holocyclus at distances up to 80 cm.

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Author notes

  1. N. L. Treverrow

    Present address: Cattle Tick Research Station, New South Wales Department of Agriculture, 2480, Wollongbar, N.S.W.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Entomology, CSIRO, Long Pocket Laboratories, 4068, Indooroopilly, Queensland, Australia

    N. L. Treverrow, B. F. Stone & Margaret Cowie

Authors
  1. N. L. Treverrow
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  2. B. F. Stone
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  3. Margaret Cowie
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Additional information

Our thanks to Mr I. J. Lewis, Director, Cattle Tick Research Station, for initiating the study of possible pheromones in I. holocyclus, and for his continued encouragement throughout.

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Treverrow, N.L., Stone, B.F. & Cowie, M. Aggregation pheromones in 2 Australian hard ticks, Ixodes holocyclus and Aponomma concolor. Experientia 33, 680–682 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01946573

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01946573

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