Jove
Visualize
Contact Us

Related Experiment Videos

Ixodid ticks avoid contact with liquid water.

T Krober1, P M Guerin

  • 1Institute of Zoology, University of Neuchâtel, Rue Emile Argand 11, Ch-2007, Neuchâtel, Switzerland.

The Journal of Experimental Biology
|June 23, 1999
PubMed
Summary

Cattle tick (Boophilus microplus) and sheep tick (Ixodes ricinus) larvae avoid wet surfaces. Sensory receptors on their front legs detect water, prompting avoidance behaviors crucial for survival.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Identification of host plant attractants for the carrot fly,Psila rosae.

Journal of chemical ecology·2014
Same author

Sex pheromone ofAdoxophyes orana: Additional components and variability in ratio of (Z)-9- and (Z)-11-tetradecenyl acetate.

Journal of chemical ecology·2013
Same author

Sex pheromone ofGrapholita funebrana occurrence ofZ-8- andZ-10-Tetradecenyl acetate as secondary components.

Journal of chemical ecology·2013
Same author

Sex pheromone ofEupoecilia ambiguella female: Analysis and male response to ternary blend.

Journal of chemical ecology·2013
Same author

Abraxas grossulariata L. (Lepidoptera: Geometridae): Identification of (3Z,6Z,9Z)-3,6,9-heptadecatriene and (6Z,9Z)-6,9-cis-3,4-epoxyheptadecadiene in the female sex pheromone.

Journal of chemical ecology·2013
Same author

Inadvertent introduction of squalene, cholesterol, and other skin products into a sample.

Journal of chemical ecology·2013
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Area of Science:

  • Arthropod biology
  • Sensory physiology
  • Ecology

Background:

  • Ticks exhibit complex behaviors related to water, balancing avoidance of direct contact with the need for high humidity.
  • Understanding tick-water interactions is vital for controlling tick-borne diseases and managing tick populations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the behavioral responses of tick larvae to wet surfaces.
  • To identify the sensory mechanisms responsible for detecting water and initiating avoidance.

Main Methods:

  • Observing the reactions of Boophilus microplus larvae encountering a wet membrane surrounding a dry area.
  • Analyzing turning, border-walking, and return behaviors.
  • Conducting experiments with masked chemosensilla to pinpoint water receptor locations.

Main Results:

  • Larvae of Boophilus microplus and Ixodes ricinus actively avoided walking on wet surfaces.
  • 40% of reactions involved immediate turns away from water, 41% involved walking along the border, and 19% involved returning after brief contact.
  • Contact with the tip of a front leg was sufficient to trigger avoidance, suggesting water receptors are on the tarsi.

Conclusions:

  • Ticks possess specialized sensory receptors, likely in leg tarsi sensilla, enabling detection of wet surfaces.
  • These receptors play a critical role in initiating avoidance behaviors, crucial for maintaining water balance.
  • Ticks demonstrate a dual relationship with water, avoiding direct contact while requiring high humidity for survival.

Related Experiment Videos