Waveforms from AC-DC electropenetrography of the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, feeding on calf

Ticks are important nuisance pests and vectors of pathogens for livestock, companion animals, and humans. Development and rigorous evaluation of management methods for ticks and tick-borne pathogens is hampered by lack of information on tick feeding behaviors. This poster describes a study that begins to address this need.  AC-DC electropenetrography (EPG) was used to monitor feeding of adult Lone star ticks, Amblyomma americanum, in real-time during early slow-phase tick feeding using an awake calf host. Discernable and stereotypical waveforms of low-, medium-, and high-frequencies were revealed. Tick waveforms were hierarchically categorized into three families: Aa1, Aa2 and Aa3, containing seven types.  A1 consisted of short, stereotypical episodes repeated every 10 sec for 3 – 6 min in each cycle; Aa2 was a uniquely-structured pattern that occurred each time at the end of a cycle of Aa1 episodes. A3 occurred only rarely.  Because of the timing of these waveforms in early-stage feedng, both waveforms likely represent some type of salivation and/or sensory processing. This study serves as a foundation for future research aimed to correlate specific feeding behaviors with waveforms, and ultimately the influence of control measures and pathogens on tick feeding.