Management strategies to minimize the use of synthetic chemical acaricides in the control of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus ( Boophilus ) microplus (Canestrini, 1888) in an area highly favourable for its development in Argentina

NAVA, S.; ROSSNER, M. V.; TORRENTS, J.; MOREL, N.; MARTINEZ, N. C.; MANGOLD, A. J.; GUGLIELMONE, A. A.

MEDICAL AND VETERINARY ENTOMOLOGY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Año: 2020 vol. 34 p. 264 - 278

0269-283X

The aim of this work was to test the efficacy of winter?spring controlstrategies against Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini, 1888) (Ixodida:Ixodidae) in an area highly favourable for its development in Argentina. Controlschemes using three or four annual applications of synthetic acaricides were evaluated.Furthermore, the dynamics of the non-parasitic phases of R. microplus were analysedto provide a framework for the application of pasture spelling as a tool for tick control.The treatment schemes provided appropriate levels of efficacy against R. microplus andalso prevented the occurrence of the major peak in abundance of this tick in autumn. Asignificant overall effect against R. microplus can be achieved when the control strategiestested in this study are appliedwithin the areamost ecologically favourable for this tick inArgentina. Analysis of the dynamics of the non-parasitic phase of R. microplus indicatesthat the spelling period required to achieve a significant reduction of larvae in pasturesfluctuates between 12 and 17 weeks if spelling is initiated in spring or early summer, butbetween 20 and 28 weeks if spelling is started in late summer, autumn or winter.