The nonpolar egg wax lipids of the cattle tick, Boophilus microplus (Canestrini)

About 40% of the lipids of the egg wax of Boophilus microplus are nonpolar and comprise hydrocarbons (10%) and was esters (90%). The hydrocarbon fraction is 87% unbranched alkanes, the major components being n‐nonadecane (10.8%), n‐eicosane (12.1%), and n‐heneicosane (9.8%). This fraction also contains 2,4,6‐cholestatriene (4.6%). The majority of the acids are branched (77%), the major components being 12‐methyl‐tetradecanoic (16.3%) and branched hexadecanoic acids (28%). The major alcohols are n26∶0 (20.4%), n28∶0 (47.3%) and n36∶0 (18.2%). A steroid, possibly 2,4,6‐cholestatrien‐25‐ol (5.6%), is also present.