Tick Pheromone Mechanisms
1982; Elsevier BV; Linguagem: Inglês
10.1016/b978-0-08-024937-7.50017-2
AutoresDaniel E. Sonenshine, Robert M. Silverstein, Y. Rechav,
Tópico(s)Insect and Pesticide Research
ResumoPublisher Summary This chapter provides an overview of tick pheromone mechanisms. It discusses the role of sex pheromones in regulating the mating behavior of ticks. The pheromonal vocabulary of ticks includes at least three types of compounds—assembly pheromones, aggregation-attachment pheromones, and sex pheromones. Compounds that induce assembly are the most widely distributed of the three types and are found in both Argasidae and Ixodidae. These non-specific compounds are active in a tick's external environment during the nonparasitic phases of its existence. Mating is facilitated by the proximity of the sexes. Aggregation and attachment pheromones, in contrast, are known only from certain species of the genus Amblyomma, all highly site-selective parasites of large ungulates. These species-specific pheromones are active only during the parasitic period, attracting unfed ticks to the feeding sites. Sex pheromones are known only from metastriate ticks. These compounds are active only during the parasitic phase of adult life. In contrast to the aggregation and attachment pheromones of Amblyomma, sex pheromones often occur in species that are not extremely selective in their choice of feeding sites.
Referência(s)