Abstract
The appetence responses of the ixodid ticksIxodes rubicundus andRhipicephalus punctatus to various stimuli were quantified under laboratory conditions. A greater percentage ofI. rubicundus generally responded to the different stimuli at lower than at higher temperatures while the converse was usually true forR. punctatus. Radiation heat and shadowing evoked a response in the greatest percentage ofI. rubicundus, whereas CO2 and host odour were responsible for a similar reaction inR. punctatus. A single perturbation of the substrate caused more than 50% ofI. rubicundus to respond while constant perturbation resulted in a progressive decrease in the proportion of ticks reacting. Significantly moreR. punctatus thanI. rubicundus were attracted to a CO2 trap and theR. punctatus were also attracted to the trap over a greater distance. Significantly more older than younger ticks of both species responded to the various stimuli.
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Fourie, L.J., Snyman, A., Kok, D.J. et al. The appetence behaviour of two South African paralysis-inducing ixodid ticks. Exp Appl Acarol 17, 921–930 (1993). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02328069
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02328069