The appetence behaviour of two South African paralysis-inducing ixodid ticks

Abstract

The appetence responses of the ixodid ticks Ixodes rubicundus and Rhipicephalus punctatus to various stimuli were quantified under laboratory conditions. A greater percentage of I. rubicundus generally responded to the different stimuli at lower than at higher temperatures while the converse was usually true for R. punctatus. Radiation heat and shadowing evoked a response in the greatest percentage of I. rubicundus, whereas CO2 and host odour were responsible for a similar reaction in R. punctatus. A single perturbation of the substrate caused more than 50% of I. rubicundus to respond while constant perturbation resulted in a progressive decrease in the proportion of ticks reacting. Significantly more R. punctatus than I. rubicundus were attracted to a CO2 trap and the R. 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.