Reactions of three species of phipicephalus ticks to host odor and light [Ixodoidea: Ixodidae]

ABSTRACT

A multiple choice apparatus was designed in the shape of a circular endless channel about 1-inch wide forming the arena which extends over 8 lower compartments arranged at the periphery of a large Petri dish, provided with various humidities, chemicals or host's odour, separated from the arena by a false floor of porous polyethylene sheet. In testing reactions of ticks to light factor, a cross-shaped black cardboard covering 4 alternate compartments of the apparatus was used in some experiments involving one or two factors. Unfed larvae, nymphs and adults of Rhipicephalus sanguineus showed much stronger response to dog's hair than to odour of sheep, goat or rabbit. R. turanicus and R. guilhoni, on the other hand, preferred the odour of goat and sheep than the other hosts. The sense of smell of the tested ticks surmounted their response to light, when they were offered combination of the two factors. The female ticks of the three species exhibited marked preference to dilute ammonia vapours than to acetic acid