Resumo

MIRANDA REYES, Perla Iris; MARTINEZ IBANEZ, Francisco; LAGUNES-QUINTANILLA, Rodolfo Esteban  e  BARRERA MOLINA, América Ivette. Ixodicidal effect of plant extracts of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Tagetes erecta on Rhipicephalus microplus ticks. Rev. mex. de cienc. pecuarias [online]. 2023, vol.14, n.4, pp.905-914.  Epub 17-Nov-2023. ISSN 2448-6698.  https://doi.org/10.22319/rmcp.v14i4.6394.

One of the main problems in cattle farming is infestations caused by Rhipicephalus microplus ticks, the most important parasitic species in the cattle industry. Its control is based mainly on the application of ixodicides. However, the excessive and inappropriate use of these products has generated resistant strains. As an alternative, biological control has been proposed as a promising method, as it prevents environmental contamination, promotes the safety of animal products, and contributes to sustainability. For this reason, the objective of the present study was to perform an in vitro evaluation of the ixodicidal effect of two plant extracts of Cinnamomum zeylanicum and Tagetes erecta on R. microplus ticks. The analysis was carried out using the larval immersion technique (LIT) and the adult female immersion technique (AIT), and the morphological damage to the cuticular structure of the ticks was then determined by stereo microscopy. The most significant result was 100 % larval mortality (P<0.05) for the C. zeylanicum extract at a concentration of 6%, presenting evident morphological damage in the cuticular structure. In contrast, T. erecta extract showed no ixodicidal activity. Finally, it is concluded that the plant extract of C. zeylanicum shows efficacy in in vitro tests against R. microplus larvae and may prove useful as an economical and sustainable alternative for tick control.

Palavras-chave : Cinnamomum zeylanicum; Biological control; Plant extracts; Rhipicephalus microplus; Tagetes erecta.