Evidence for attachment pheromones in the Cayenne tick (Acari:Ixodidae)

Evidence is presented for the existence of male-produced attachment pheromones in the tick Amblyomma cajennense (F). Unfed males and females attached significantly faster to shaved sides on bovine hosts where preattached males were present than did adult ticks released in control areas. Attached ticks did not form clusters around the preattached males as described for other species of Amblyomma. They attached in areas under bags where they had been released, but were not necessarily close to the feeding males. Males apparently required at least 4 d of feeding before producing the pheromones. Males that fed for < 3 d failed to induce attachment. A significant increase in attachment of newly introduced males and females was observed only on day 4 after the feeding of the preattached male started. This response increased on days 5 and 6 after feeding had commenced. An evolutionary trend in the production of tick pheromones was suggested.