Dermal gland secretions of tropical bont tick,Amblyomma variegatum (Acarina: Ixodidae): Biological activity on predators and pathogens.

When they are mechanically disturbed, all instars of the tropical bont tickAmblyomma variegatum exude droplets of a liquid on the dorsal, lateral, and ventral cuticle. These spread out and quickly evaporate. In this study, the possible role of these secretions was investigated in relation to predators and pathogens. In laboratory bioassays, it was demonstrated that the secretions from engorged larvae, nymphs, and females have an antibiotic activity against the bacteria speciesBacillus thuringiensis andSerratia marcescens, combined with a repellent effect on a potential predator, the fire-antSolenopsis geminata.