LE3 .A278 2019

2019

Hillier, Kirk
Faraone, Nicoletta

Acadia University

Bachelor of Science

Honours

Biology

Biology

The blacklegged tick (Ixodes scapularis) is the main vector of Borrelia burgdorferi, the etiological agent of Lyme disease. In Atlantic Canada, the spread of I. scapularis ticks and the high incidence of Lyme disease cases reported in recent years have raised concerns for public health. The threat of disease transmission has resulted in an increasing demand for effective, safe and environmentally-friendly repellent products. Plant-derived essential oils are accessible products that exhibit insecticidal and repellant effects and are promising new potential repellants against ticks and other arthropods. reliminary bioassays suggest that certain essential oils have potential in repelling I. scapularis. This project explored tick responses (using I. scapularis) to stimulation with main chemical components present within selected essential oils. Electrophysiological and behavioural assays were carried out to evaluate which components exert repellent activity. Also, a tick mounting protocol for electrotarsography was outlined in order to use this technique to screen compounds to determine which are detected via olfaction in ticks. This study has given insight into tick pedipalps being potentially involved in repellency against essential oils. Future studies on tick olfaction will need to be performed in order to gain a better total understanding of tick olfaction that will result in better means for tick control.

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https://scholar.acadiau.ca/islandora/object/theses:3263