Skip to main content
Log in

Receptors Involved in Host Location and Feeding in Ticks

  • Symposium V: Host-Seeking Mechanisms of Arthropods of Medical and Veterinary Importance
  • Published:
International Journal of Tropical Insect Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Host location and feeding among ticks involves positioning for host findings, probing, attachment, imbibing blood and thereafter detachment. Different species of ticks fulfil this sequence of events in different ways. Behavioural differences are mainly due to sensory inputs obtained by a tick and the processing of that input by the central nervous system. Tick receptors responsible for perceiving stimuli originating in the general environment and the host in particular are located on the tarsi and mouthparts. This review gives a brief account of current knowledge on sensory receptors involved in the above behavioural patterns.

Résumé

Parmi les tiques, la recherche d’un hôte comprend quatre phases: orientation (mise en place), attachement, absorption du sang, et après, détachement. Des differentes éspèces de tique accomplissent ces étapes assez differement. Ces differences de conduites sont due, pour la plupart, à des communications sensorilles et leurs traitement par le systeme nerveux. Les recepteurs responsable pour la transmission des stimules provenant de l’environnement en general, et de l’hôte en particulier, se trouvent sur les tarse et les organes orales. Cette étude est une revue de ce qui est connue actuellement sur des récepteurs en question.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Batelli A. (1891) Note anatomo-fisiologiche sugli Ixodini Comraunicazione preventiva. Second part. (Monit. Zool. I taliana II.

  • Berger R. S. (1972) 2, 6-Dichlorophenol, sex pheromone of the lone star tick. Science. 177, 704–705.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Berger R. S., Dukes J. C. and Chow Y. S. (1971) Demonstration of a sex pheromone in three species of hard tick. J. Med. Ent. 8, 84–86.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Binnington K. C. (1972) The distribution and morphology of probable photoreceptors in eight species of tick (Ixo-doidae). Z. Parasitenk. 40, 321–332.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Camin J. H. and Drenner R. W. (1978) Climbing behaviour and host-finding of larval rabbit ticks Haemophy salis, lepovispalustris) J. Parasit. 64, 905–909.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chu-Wang I. and Axtell R. C (1973) Comparative fine structure of the claw sensilla of a soft tick, Argas (Per-sicargas) arboreus Kaiser, Hoogstraal and Kohls, and a hard tick, Amblyomma americanum (L ). J. Parasit. 59, 545–555.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dethier V. G. (1972) Sensitivity of the contact chemo-receptors of the blowfly to vapours. Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 69, 2192–2198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elizarov Yu A. (1963) Insect and tick chemoreception: Electrophysiologic study of the chemoreception of Ixodi-dae. Westn. Mosk, Univ. Ser. 6, Biol. Pochvolved. 18, 16–24.

    Google Scholar 

  • Foelix R. F. and Axtell R. C (1971) Fine structure of tarsal sensilla in the tick Amblyomma americanum (L ). Z. Sell-forsch. Mikrosk. Anal. 114, 22–37.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Foelix R. F. and Axtell R. C (1972) Ultrastructure of the Haller’s organ in the tick, Amblyomma americanum (L ). Z. Zellforsch. Mikrosk. Anat. 124, 275–292.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Foelix R. F. and Chu-wang I. W. (1972) Fine structural analysis of palpal receptors in the tick Amblyomma americanum (L ). Z. Zellforsch Mikrosk. Anat. 129, 548–560.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Galun R. and Kindler S. H. (1965) Glutathione as an inducer of feeding in ticks. Science N.Y. 147, 166–167.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Galun R. and Kindler S. H. (1968) Chemical basis of feeding in the tick Ornithodoros tholozoni. J. Insect Physiol. 14, 1409–1421.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gladney W. J. and Drumond R. O. (1970) Mating behaviour and reproduction of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum. Ann. ent. Soc. Am. 63, 1036–1039.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Haggart D. A. and Davis E. D. (1980) Ammonia-sensitive neurons on the first tarsi of the tick, Rhipkephalus sanguineus. J. Insect Physiol. 26, 517–523.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Haggart D. A. and Davis E. D. (1981) Neurons sensitive to 2, 6-dichlorophenol on the tarsi of the tick Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae). J. Med. Ent. 18, 187–193.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hess E. and Vlimant M. (1982) The tarsal sensory system of Amblyomma variegalum Fabricius Ixodidae, Meta-striata I. Wall pore ant terminal pore sensilla. Revue Suisse Zool. 89, 713–729.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hess E. and Vlimant M. (1986) Leg sense organs of ticks. In Morphology and behavioural biology of licks. (Edited by Sauer J. R. and Hair J. A.), pp. 361–390. Ellis Horwood, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hoogstraal H. (1956) African Ixodoidea.—I. Ticks of the Sudan. Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, United States Department of Navy, Washington.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Hopkins B. A. (1964) The probing responses of Stomoxys calcitrans (L ) (the stablefly) to vapours. Anim. Behav. 12, 513–524.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ioffe I. D. (1976) On the size of olfactory and visual centres in three species of tick (Paristiformes, Ixodidae). Zool. Zh. 55, 526–532.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jorgensen W. K. (1985) The ultrastructure of the sense organs of tarsus 1, the palps and chelicerae of the larval cattle tick, Boophilus microplus (Canestrini ) Ixodidae, including a study of the ultrastructure and function of the tick podium. Ph.D. thesis, University of Queensland, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lahille F. (1905) Contributions à l’étude des Ixodides de la Republique Argentine. Anales del Minist. de Agric. section de Zootenica etc. 11, 107–109, Buenos Aires.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lees A. D. (1948) The sensory physiology of the sheep tick Ixodes ricinus (L ). J. Exp. Biol. 25, 145–207.

    Google Scholar 

  • Leonovich S. A. (1977) Electron microscopy studies of Hallers’ organ of the tick Ixodes persulcatus Ixodidae. Parazitologiya 11, 340–346.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Loftus R. (1976) Temperature-dependent dry receptor on antenna of Periplaneta. Tonic responses. J. Comp. Physiol. 111, 153–170.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Loftus R. and Corbière-Tichane G. (1981) Antennal warm and cold receptors of the cave beetle, Speophyes lucidulus Dakar, in sensilla with lamellated dendrite. J. Comp. Physiol. 143, 443–452.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Moorhouse D. E. (1969) The attachment of some Ixodid ticks to their natural hosts. Proc. 2nd Int. congr. Acarol pp. 319–345.

    Google Scholar 

  • McDowell P. G. and Waladde S. M. (1985) 2, 6-Dichlorophenol in the tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Neumann, a reappraisal. J. Chem. Ecol. 12, 69–81.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nuttall G. H. F., Cooper W. F. and Robinson L. E. (1908) On the structure of Haller’s organ in Ixodidae. Parasitology. 1, 238–243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Panifilova I. M. (1976) Reaction of ixodid ticks (Ixodes persulcatus, Dermacentor silvarum and haemaphysalis con-cinna to light. Zool. Zh. 55, 371–377.

    Google Scholar 

  • Phillis W. A. and Cromroy, H. L. (1977) The microanatomy of the eye of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) and resultant implications of its structure. J. Med. Ent. 14, 395–400.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pomerantzev B. I. (1950) Fauna of the U.S.S.R. Arachnida. Acad. Sci. USSR 4, 1–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sinitzina E. E. (1974) The electrophysiology reactions on the neurons of Haller’s organ in Hyalomma asiaticum (Edited by Schl P. and Schl E.) to odour (Acari: Ixodidae). Parazitologiya 8, 223–6.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slifer E. H. (1954) The reaction of a grasshopper to an odorous materia) held near one of its feet (Orthoptera: Acrididae). Proc. R. ent. London Ser. A. 29, 117–79.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slifer E. H. (1956) The responses of a grasshopper, Romalea microptera (Beauvois ), to strong odours following amputations of the metathoracic leg at different levels. Proc. Roy. ent. Soc. London Ser. A. 31, 95–98.

    Google Scholar 

  • Slifer E. H. (1970) The structure of arthropod chemo-receptors. A. Rev. Ent. 15, 121–142.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sonenshine D. E. (1986) Tick pheromones. In Morphology, physiology and behavioural biology of ticks. (Edited by Sauer J. R. and Hair J. A.), pp. 342–360. Ellis Horwood, Chichester.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sonenshine D. E., Homsher P. J., Garson K. A. and Wang V. B. (1984) Evidence of the role of the cheliceral digits in the perception of genital sex pheromones during mating in the American dog tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say ). J. Med. Ent. 21, 296–306.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sonenshine D. E., Silverstine R. M., Plummer E., West J. R. and McCullough T. (1975) 2, 6-Dichlorophenol, the sex pheromone of the Rocky Mountain wood tick, Dermacentor variabilis (Say ) J. chem. Ecol. 2, 201–209.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Staedler R. and Hanson F. E. (1975) Olfactory capabilities of the gustatory chemoreceptors of the tobacco horn-worm larva, Manduca sexta (Leg., Sphingidae). J. Comp. Physiol. 104, 97–102.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tatchell R. J. and Moorhouse D. E. (1968) The feeding process of the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus (Canestrini ), part II. The sequence of host-tissue changes. Parasitology 58, 441–459.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Waladde S. M. (1976) The sensory nervous system of the adult cattle tick Boophilus microplus (Canestrini) Ixodidae. Part I. Light microscopy. J. Aust. ent. Soc. 15, 379–387.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waladde S. M. (1977) The sensory nervous system of the adult cattle tick Boophilus microplus (Canestrini) Ixodidae. Part II. Scanning electron microscopy. J. Aust. ent. Soc. 16, 73–79.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waladde S. M. and Rice M. J. (1977) The sensory nervous system of the adult cattle tick Boophilus microplus (Canestrini ) Ixodidae. Part III. Ultrastructure and electro-physiology of cheliceral receptors. J. Aust. ent. Soc. 16, 441–453.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waladde S. M. (1978) A study of the structure and physiology of certain receptors of the adult cattle tick, Boophilus microplus (Canestrini, Ixodidae). Ph. D. thesis, University of Queen, Australia.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waladde S. M. (1982) Tip-recording from ixodid tick olfactory sensilla: Responses to tick related odours. J. Comp. Physiol. 148, 411–418.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waladde S. M., Kemp D. H. and Rice M. J. (1979) Feeding electrograms and fluid uptake measurements of cattle tick, Boophilus microplus attached on artificial membranes. Int. J. Parasit. 9, 89–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waladde S. M., Kokwaro E. D. and Chimtawi M., (1981) A cold receptor on the tick, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus: Electrophysiological and ultrastructural observations. Insect Sci. Applic. 1, 191–196.

    Google Scholar 

  • Waladde S. M. (1982) Tip-recording from ixodid tick olfactory sensilla: Responses to tick related odours, J. Comp. Physiol. 148, 411–418.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waladde S. M. and Rice M. J. (1983) The sensory basis of tick feeding behaviour. In Physiology of ticks (Edited by Obenchain F. D. and Galun R.), pp. 71–83. Pergamon Press, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Webb J. P. Jr (1979) Host locating behaviour of nymphal Omilhodoros concanensis (Acarina: Argasidae). J. Med. Ent. 16, 437–447.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Webb J. P. Jr, George J. E. and Cook B. (1977) Sound as a host detection cue for the soft tick Ornithodoros concanensis (Acari ). Nature 265, 443–444.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zolotarev E. K. and Sinitzina E.E., (1965) Chemoreceptive organs of the foreleg of ixodid ticks Vestn Mosk. Univ. 20, 17–25.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Waladde, S.M. Receptors Involved in Host Location and Feeding in Ticks. Int J Trop Insect Sci 8, 643–647 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400022736

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/S1742758400022736

Key Words

Navigation