In vitro feeding of Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks and the attraction of ticks to dog odor

Abstract

Rhipicephalus sanguineus, Dermacentor reticulatus and Dermacentor marginatus were fed in an in vitro feeding system for ticks. D. reticulatus adults served as a control for this system since feeding this species was successful in previous research. Furthermore, all developmental stages of R. sanguineus were allowed to feed in vitro. For the feedings of adult R. sanguineus odors of different dog breeds were used, but this tick species did not seem to have a preference for any of these odors. Attachment of adult R. sanguineus did not exceed 30%, while mortality reached 90%. R. sanguineus nymphs did attach up to 16% in one unit, but they did not engorge. Larvae of this tick species could not feed, because they were not able to penetrate the membrane. In vitro odor tests were carried out with R. sanguineus, D. reticulatus and Ixodes ricinus. For these tests perfumes of dogs and cow were produced by two different methods. One uses 96% ethanol as a solvent while the other method uses hexane. Results show some preference of R. sanguineus for the perfumes, especially the dog perfume made with 96% ethanol.