1-Octen-3-ol isolated from bont ticks attracts Amblyomma variegatum

Volatiles from various life-stages of the bent ticks Amblyomma variegatum a nd A. hebraeum were collected by using solid-phase microfibers and charcoal traps. An octenol isomer was found to be a major constituent of most of th e tick material sampled and was identified as 1-octen-3-ol by gas chromatog raphy-mass spectrometry and by using antenna of the tsetse fly Glossina bre vipalpis in gas chromatography-linked antennogram detection. Release of thi s compound increased during molt to adulthood and following mechanical dist urbance of adult ticks. (R)-(-)-1-Octen-3-ol and racemate 1-octen-3-ol both induce an increase in upwind walk to the odor source from A. variegatum in an airstream on a servosphere. Volatiles from tick exuviae plus feces and from dead ticks also attracted A. variegatum, suggesting that 1-octen-3-ol may contribute to the aggregation response of Amblyomma spp. on such substr ates. 2,6-Dichloroanisol and 2,5-dimethylpyrazine also were detected in vol atiles from the ticks but induced no behavioral responses on the servospher e. The suspected tick pheromone component, 2,6-dichlorophenol, was detected from A. variegatum adults cut into pieces but had no effect on the behavio r of A. variegatum on the servosphere at a range of doses.