Occurrence of 2,6-dichlorophenol in hard ticks,Hyalomma dromedarii andHyalomma anatolicum excavatum, and its role in mating.

2,6-Dichlorophenol (2,6-DCP) is the major volatile sex pheromone component in the extracts ofHyalomma dromedarii (35 ng/female) andHyalomma anatolicum excavalum (20 ng/female). The GC fraction containing essentially pure 2,6-DCP, as well as an equal amount of synthetic 2,6-DCP, elicits from the male of each species a hierarchy of responses culminating in attempted copulation.