Aggregation pheromones of the bont tick Amblyomma hebraeum: identification of candidates for bioassay

Volatiles emitted by male Amblyomma hebraeum while feeding on a rabbit were quantitatively sampled by the dynamic solvent effect and analysed by capillary gas-liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. Changes in emissions of 2-methyl propanoic acid, benzaldehyde and 2-nitrophenol paralleled reported increases in the attractiveness of males to conspecific ticks after 4-5 days of feeding. These compounds are therefore candidates for the bioassay of pheromonal activity.