| Title: | The effect of feeding status on sexual attractiveness of Ixodes ricinus (Acari: Ixodidae) females |
| Author(s): | Zeme R; Bouman EA; Socha R; Dusbabek F; |
| Address: | "Institute of Entomology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Branisovska 31, 370 05 Ceske Budejovice, Czech Republic. rosta@acarus.entu.cas.cz" |
| ISSN/ISBN: | 0168-8162 (Print) 0168-8162 (Linking) |
| Abstract: | "Sexual attractiveness of unengorged, semiengorged and fully engorged females of both field and laboratory populations of Ixodes ricinus was studied under laboratory conditions by means of a computerised video tracking system. A male and a female were allowed to walk freely in a glass arena during 1 h and their behavioural interactions were observed. Obtained results revealed that the feeding status of L. ricinus females affects their sexual attractiveness. The highest attractiveness was observed in engorged females, the lowest in unengorged females of the field population. Copulation occurred in all experimental groups with the highest frequency observed in the unengorged virgin laboratory females. Despite engorged females being highly attractive for males on distance, the frequency of copulation was low. Differences between field and laboratory populations were found in both behavioural parameters and frequency of copulation" |
| Keywords: | "Animals Copulation/physiology Czech Republic Feeding Behavior/*physiology Female Guinea Pigs Ixodes/*physiology Male Sex Attractants Sexual Behavior, Animal/*physiology;" |
| Notes: | "MedlineZeme, R Bouman, E A P Socha, R Dusbabek, F eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Netherlands 2003/02/21 Exp Appl Acarol. 2002; 27(1-2):137-49. doi: 10.1023/a:1021511505415" |
