Abstract
The Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus tick is a major concern for the livestock market worldwide, as it causes serious economic damage. Plant-derived acaricides are an attractive alternative to control this ectoparasite and limit the development of resistance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the acaricidal activity of Furcraea foetida leaf extract against engorged female R. (B.) microplus ticks. Our in vitro bioassays showed that the crude extract of leaves from F. foetida caused hemorrhagic swelling and skin lesions in the ticks, and three days of treatment caused 100% mortality. Dose-response assay indicated that this toxicity effect was dose-dependent. Similar effects were observed when the crude extract from F. foetida leaves was denatured by boiling at 100°C. These results suggest that the toxicity of the leaf extract might be associated with thermostable biomolecules. Together, our results show for the first time that the crude extract of F. foetida leaves has acaricidal activity against engorged female R. (B.) microplus ticks and it acts in a dose-dependent manner.
Highlights
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini 1887) (Acari, Ixodidae) is considered the main tick species that infests cattle in Brazil
Our results show for the first time that the crude extract of F. foetida leaves has acaricidal activity against engorged female R. (B.) microplus ticks and it acts in a dose-dependent manner
We evaluated the effect of Furcraea foetida leaf extract on engorged female Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks
Summary
Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini 1887) (Acari, Ixodidae) is considered the main tick species that infests cattle in Brazil. (B.) microplus ticks relies mainly on chemical acaricides, such as coumaphos (organophosphate), cypermethrin, permethrin (both of which are synthetic pyrethroids), and amitraz (amidine) (Narahashi 1971; Li et al 2003; Chen et al 2007). As a result of their long-term use, this tick species has developed resistance to all major classes of chemical acaricides, thereby reducing the ability to control infestations (Abbas et al 2014). Acaricide residues in food products of animal origin and environment pose a significant risk to human health (Marangi et al 2012). Such issues have challenged researchers to find alternative products to control R. Such issues have challenged researchers to find alternative products to control R. (B.) microplus
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