Abstract
Control measures against common cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus are of the upmost importance because of considerable, deleterious impact on a farm’s economy. Due to resistance phenomena to synthetic acaricides being a constraint in affected farms, the search for plant derivatives as acaricides has increased dramatically in recent years. In this work, essential oils obtained from two Ecuadorian plants, Ambrosia peruviana and Lepechinia mutica (EOAp, EOLm), traditionally used as insecticides in indigenous communities, were studied on larvae and engorged females at the parasitic stages of R. microplus. Larvae and females were treated with five (0.0625, 0.125, 0.25, 0.50 and 1%) and six concentrations (0.125, 0.25, 0.50, 1, 2 and 4%), respectively, of each EOsAp/Lm. A 98–99% larval mortality was achieved with 0.5% of both EOsAp/Lm. EOAp inhibited oviposition and egg hatching up to 82% and 80%, respectively, and had an overall efficacy of 93.12%. Efficacy of EOLm was 72.84%, due to the low influence of EOLm on reproductive parameters. By steam distillation and GC-MS analysis, γ-Curcumene was identified as the main constituent (52.02%) in the EOAp and Shyobunol (10.80%) in EOLm. The results suggest that major components of both essential oils should be further studied as promissory acaricides against R. microplus.
Highlights
The cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus Canestrini, 1888 (Acari: Ixodidae) is well known in tropical and semitropical regions because of the harmful effects over the cattle production.These harmful effects result in anemia, decreased productivity, depression of the immune system, damage to hides, overspending due to tick control measures and the morbidity and mortality caused by tick-borne diseases [1]
The findings in Larval Package Test (LPT) revealed the acaricidal effect of essential oils (EOs) from A. peruviana and L. mutica on larvae of R. microplus. This is the first report of such effect of EOs obtained of both species
The results in the larval package test are of the utmost importance because larvae are considered as strategic targets in the tick control systems
Summary
The cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus Canestrini, 1888 (Acari: Ixodidae) is well known in tropical and semitropical regions because of the harmful effects over the cattle production. These harmful effects result in anemia, decreased productivity, depression of the immune system, damage to hides, overspending due to tick control measures and the morbidity and mortality caused by tick-borne diseases (e.g., babesiosis due to Babesia bigemina, Babesia bovis) [1]. The life cycle of R. microplus includes four developmental stages: egg, larva, nymph and adult. The intensification of the livestock production requires the use of environmentally friendly compounds to control tick infections
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
