An artificial feeding system was used where citrated bovine blood was
offerred to male and female Amblyomma cajennense. Vestiges of blood,
sweat, hair and exfoliated skin were used as phago-stimulants placed on the
surface of the silicone membrane. The ticks were collected, as engorged
nymphs, from naturally infested equines, with the ecdysis occurring in the
laboratory. Four hundred ticks were used, 50% being female, at three to
four weeks post-ecdysis. Vestiges of blood on the silicone membrane were
the most efficient phago-stimulant and the association of vestiges of blood
and sweat residue smears yielded better results compared to the other
phago-stimulants used.
