Juvenile Hormone: Evidence of Its Role in the Reproduction of Ticks

Abstract

Ovarian development, vitellogenesis, and embryogenesis in recently mated fed females of the soft tick Ornithodoros parkeri Cooley were prevented by topical application of the insect antiallatotropin precocene 2. The blockage was relieved by topical application of juvenile hormone. Cancellation of the anti-juvenile hormone effects of precocene 2 and the reestablishment of oogenesis (and oviposition in one specimen) by a naturally occurring insect juvenile hormone argues strongly for a physiological role of juvenile hormone in acarine reproduction.