RESPONSES OF SARCOPTES-SCABIEI (ACARI, SARCOPTIDAE) TO NITROGENOUS WASTE AND PHENOLIC-COMPOUNDS

This study found that greater than or equal to 1 life stage(s) of Sarc optes scabiei (L.) was significantly attracted to the nitrogenous comp ounds, guanine, purine, adenine, allantoin, hypoxanthine, xanthine, ur ic acid, ammonium chloride, ammonium nitrate, and ammonium sulfate. Fe males and larvae responded to all compounds. Males responded to all co mpounds except purine and allantoin. Nymphs responded to all compounds except allantoin. Some specific concentrations of compounds attracted only 1 life stage but other concentrations attracted multiple life st ages. Also, some life stages were attracted by multiple concentrations of a compound. The concentration that induced the greatest response b y a particular life stage varied between life stages. Overall, greater percentages of females were attracted to the nitrogenous compounds th an any other life stage. Females responded to more concentrations of a compound compared to other life stages. Males responded to fewer conc entrations then immatures. In addition, all life stages of S. scabiei were significantly attracted to the phenolic compounds, 2,6-dichloroph enol, methyl salicylate, and 2-nitrophenol. Nymphs followed by females responded to the most concentrations. The results indicated that thes e nitrogenous wastes and phenolic compounds acted in a pheromone-like manner that induced assembly of these ectoparasitic mites.