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Otálora-Luna F, Dickens JC, Brinkerhoff J, Li AY. Behavior of Nymphs and Adults of the Black-Legged Tick Ixodes scapularis and the Lone Star Tick Ambylomma americanum in Response to Thermal Stimuli. INSECTS 2022; 13:insects13020130. [PMID: 35206704 PMCID: PMC8876853 DOI: 10.3390/insects13020130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Ticks use chemical and thermal signals emitted by humans and other vertebrates to locate suitable hosts for a blood meal. Here, we study the behavior of black-legged Ixodes scapularis and the lone star ticks Amblyomma americanum exposed to heat sources held at temperatures near those of vertebrate hosts (32 °C). First, we used a locomotion compensator to test behavioral responses of ticks to an infrared light emitting diode (LED). The servosphere allowed us to measure parameters such as velocity, acceleration, linearity, and orientation. Then a heating element (Peltier) located in one of the extremes of a double-choice vertical rod (flying T), was employed to observe upward movement of the ticks toward such a heat source. While both species oriented toward the LED, only lone star ticks were attracted to the Peltier element while climbing upward. In conclusion, we showed that heat attracted ticks from short distances up to several centimeters on a the servosphere, and those responses differed between the two species of ticks on the flying T. We discuss our results in the context of the ecology of both tick species and their potential in tick survey and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernando Otálora-Luna
- Department of Biology, School of Art & Sciences, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA 23173, USA; (J.C.D.); (J.B.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(804)-549-9175
| | - Joseph C. Dickens
- Department of Biology, School of Art & Sciences, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA 23173, USA; (J.C.D.); (J.B.)
| | - Jory Brinkerhoff
- Department of Biology, School of Art & Sciences, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA 23173, USA; (J.C.D.); (J.B.)
| | - Andrew Y. Li
- Invasive Insect Biocontrol & Behavior Laboratory, USDA, ARS, Beltsville, MD 20705, USA;
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