METARHIZIUM ANISOPLIAE SENSU LATO NATIVE TO LIVESTOCK SOILS CAUSES HIGH MORTALITY ON RHIPICEPHALUS MICROPLUS LARVAE, ADULTS AND AFFECTS THEIR REPRODUCTION

The acaricidal effect of 14 strains of Metarhizium anisopliae sensu lato isolated from soil of livestock farms in the Mexican tropics was evaluated against larvae and engorged females, and during the laying and hatching of eggs of Rhipicephalus microplus (Ixodida: Ixodidae). For each fungal strain, the larvae mortality percentage was evaluated through a larval immersion test, while the reproductive efficiency indices in engorged females were measured using adult immersion tests at a dose of 1 × 108 conidia/ml. All strains of M. anisopliae (s.l.) proved to be highly effective against R. microplus larvae (66-100%) and engorged females (100%). The strains also showed a good effect in inhibiting egg laying (16.45-56.38%) and a moderate effect in decreasing egg hatching (5.24-32.68%). Two strains demonstrated to be effective against all development phases of R. microplus in an integrated manner.

Acaricidal activity of Metarhizium anisopliae isolated from paddocks in the Mexican tropics against two populations of the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus

The acaricidal effects of 55 strains of Metarhizium anisopliae (Metschnikoff) Sorokin, 1883 (Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) isolated from paddocks of cattle farms were evaluated in two Rhipicephalus microplus (Canestrini 1887) (Ixodida: Ixodidae) populations, of which one was multi-resistant and one was susceptible to chemical acaricides. Percentage mortality and reproductive efficiency indices in R. microplus were evaluated by adult immersion tests at a dose of 1 × 10⁸ conidia/mL for each fungal strain. Some strains were selected to calculate lethal concentrations to kill 50% (LC₅₀ ) and 99% (LC₉₉ ) of engorged ticks. Strains MaV22, MaV26 and MaV55 induced 100% mortality in R. microplus on day 14. Strains MaV05, MaV09 and MaV22 caused mortality of >90% from day 12 onward in both tick populations. The most effective acaricidal fungal strain, MaV55, inhibited egg laying by 54.86 and 55.86% in acaricide-resistant and -susceptible R. microplus populations, respectively. None of the fungal strains had statistically significant effects on larval hatching. In conclusion, nine strains of M. anisopliae demonstrated high acaricidal effects against R. microplus and reduced its egg laying. No differences in acaricidal effects were observed between the two populations of ticks tested.

A tannin-blocking agent does not modify the preference of sheep towards tannin-containing plants

Sheep have been suggested to use their senses to perceive plant properties and associate their intake with consequences after ingestion. However, sheep with browsing experience do not seem to select against tannin-rich browsing materials in cafeteria trials. Thus, the objective of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between the chemical composition, selectivity index (SI), preference and intake rate (IR) of tannin-containing forage trees offered to sheep in cafeteria experiments. Four trees were selected for their condensed tannin content and their varying biological activities. Havardia albicans (high biological activity), Leucaena leucocephala (medium biological activity), Acacia gaumeri (low biological activity) and Brosimum alicastrum (very low biological activity) were used in this study. Ten hair sheep (23.7kg±1.43LW) with eight months of browsing experience in native vegetation were used in this study. Polyethylene glycol (PEG 3600MW) was administered to five sheep during all experiments. In experiment 1, fresh foliage from all trees was offered ad libitum for 4h. In experiment 2, B. alicastrum was withdrawn and the preference was determined again. The forage preference in experiment 1 was A. gaumeri (14.77gDM/kgLW)>B. alicastrum (11.77gDM/kgLW)>H. albicans (3.71gDM/kgLW)=L. leucocephala (1.87gDM/kgLW) (P<0.05). The preference in experiment 2 was A. gaumeri>H. albicans=L. leucocephala. PEG administration had no effect on the preference or IR. The intake rate seemed to have been affected by the plant density. Moreover, fiber compounds were found to be better predictors of DM intake than polyphenolic compounds at levels typically found in the evaluated forages. It was concluded that tannins and PEG did not modify the preferences of sheep in cafeteria trials. Thus, tannins are not involved in the preference regulation of animals with browsing experience.

Ivermectin resistance status and factors associated in Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) populations from Veracruz, Mexico

The objectives of the present study were to (1) determine the status of resistance or susceptibility to ivermectin (IVM) in Rhipicephalus microplus tick populations in Veracruz, Mexico, (2) determine the level of resistance (resistance ratios [RR] and lethal concentrations for 50% [LC(50)] and 99% [LC(99)]) mortality in each R. microplus population, and (3) identify factors associated with resistance. Populations of R. microplus were sampled from 53 cattle farms to evaluate their resistance using the larval immersion test. Mortality data were subjected to probit analysis to calculate LC(50) and LC(99). Resistance ratios were calculated in relation to a susceptible reference strain. A logistic regression model was used to evaluate the relation between resistance and possible associated factors. Thirteen tick populations were susceptible to ivermectin, eighteen had incipient resistance and twenty-two had significant resistance. RR(50) of the susceptible tick populations varied from 0.59 to 1.07. The populations that showed the highest level of resistance were: ANTE (RR(50)=8.21; RR(99)=46.0), PALO (RR(50)=6.25; RR(99)=35.47), P.VIE (RR(50)=5.89; RR(99)=180.3), AURO (RR(50)=5.36; RR(99)=13.82 and CEDR (RR(50)=4.11; RR(99)=26.47). Cattle farms that used macrocyclic lactones ≥ 4 times per year were more likely to develop R. microplus resistant to ivermectin (OR=13.0; p=0.0028). In conclusion, more than two-thirds of the farms sampled in Veracruz, Mexico, showed some level of ivermectin-resistant R. microplus populations and the number of ML applications per year is factor associated with the resistance of R. microplus to IVM.

First report of a Rhipicephalus microplus tick population multi-resistant to acaricides and ivermectin in the Mexican tropics

We document the presence of a Rhipicephalus microplus tick population resistant to acaricides (organophosphates (OP), synthetic pyrethroids (SP), amitraz) and macrocyclic lactones (ML) (ivermectin). Engorged females of R. microplus were collected from a cattle farm in Veracruz, Mexico, to evaluate acaricide and ivermectin resistance. The modified larval packet test (LPT) was used to detect OP (chlorpiriphos and diazinon) and SP (flumethrin, deltamethrin and cypermethrin) resistance and the larval immersion test (LIT) to detect resistance to amitraz and ivermectin. Both, LPT and LIT were performed twice at different times with different collected samples. Mortality data with ivermectin were subjected to probit analysis to obtain lethal concentrations and resistance ratios (RR) using an ivermectin-susceptible strain (Deutch) as a reference. The R. microplus population showed resistance to all acaricides tested, with different mortalities at the discriminate dose: chlorpiriphos (1%), diazinon (24.2%), flumethrin (92.8%), deltamethrin (94.2%), cypermethrin (98.0%) and amitraz (1.5%). The studied tick population also showed resistance to ivermectin with a resistance ratio at 99% of 9.58 and 6.52 in the first and second evaluation, respectively. We report for the first time a R. microplus population in Mexico with different levels of resistance to OP, SP, amidines (Am) and ivermectin. The uncontrolled use of these products in the study area may promote the complete failure of tick control within a short period of time.

In vitro acaricidal effect of tannin-rich plants against the cattle tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the in vitro acaricidal effects of lyophilized extracts of four tannin rich plants (Acacia pennatula, Piscidia piscipula, Leucaena leucocephala and Lysiloma latisiliquum) against diverse stages of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus, and to asses whether tannins were involved in the acaricidal effect using polyethylene glycol (PEG) to block tannins. Larval immersion (LIT) and adult immersion (AIT) tests were used to evaluate the acaricidal effect of each of the lyophilized extracts against larval and adult stages of R. microplus respectively. Larvae and adult ticks were exposed to increasing concentrations of each plant extract (0, 1200, 2400, 4800, 9600 and 19,200 μg ml(-1)) for 10 min. Larval mortality was recorded at 48 h post-incubation. Adult mortality was recorded daily over 14 days, at which point their reproductive efficiency was evaluated. PEG was added to the extracts to verify whether tannins were involved in the acaricidal effect. The effect on egg laying inhibition and larval mortality was analyzed using the GLM procedure in SAS. A Kruskal-Wallis test was used to assess the effect of PEG on LIT results. Calculation of the lethal concentration 50 (LC50) was performed using a probit analysis. All extracts reduced the viability of R. microplus larval stages (P<0.001), and viability was restored with the addition of PEG suggesting an important role of tannins in the acaricidal effect (P<0.001). The LC50 values of L. latisiliquum and P. piscipula plant extracts were 6.402 and 2.466 μg ml(-1). None of the tannin-rich plant extracts affected adult mortality (P>0.05). Lysiloma latisiliquum extract inhibited egg hatching of R. microplus (P<0.01). Tannin-rich plant extracts from A. pennatula, P. piscipula, L. leucocephala and L. latisiliquum showed potential acaricidal activity. Further in vivo studies are needed to confirm this finding.

Evaluation of Metarhizium anisopliae (Hyphomycetes) for the control of Boophilus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) on naturally infested cattle in the Mexican tropics

The efficacy of Metarhizium anisopliae on the control of Boophilus microplus in cattle infested naturally in the Mexican tropics was evaluated. The study was carried out on a ranch in Veracruz, Mexico. Twenty steers were randomly allocated into two groups of 10 cattle. Animals were naturally infested with B. microplus. Animals in the treated group were sprayed with M. anisopliae (strain Ma34) at a concentration of 1x10(8)conidia/ml every 15 days (four treatments). The other group remained as untreated control. Standard engorged female ticks were recorded on days 0, 1, 3, 5, 7 and 14 post-treatment. From the second application treatment (day 7) to the end of the experiment, animals in the treated group had lower tick infestation (P<0.05) with an efficacy of 40.0-91.2%. The results demonstrate the efficacy of repeated treatment with M. anisopiae (Ma34 strain) to control natural infestation of engorged female B. microplus on cattle in the Mexican tropics.

Prevalence and potential risk factors for amitraz resistance in Boophilus microplus ticks in cattle farms in the State of Yucatan, Mexico

Southern cattle tick, Boophilus microplus, control in the Mexican tropics is based on the application by spray, dip or pour-on of acaricides. In Mexico the first report of ticks resistant to amitraz was reported in 2002. Amitraz resistance affecting the cattle industry of Yucatan State, Mexico, has not been investigated. A cross-sectional study was carried out in order to investigate the possible association between management risk factors and the prevalence of B. microplus ticks resistant to amitraz in Yucatan, Mexico. Ninety-eight cattle farms were randomly selected and a sample of 20-30 engorged B. microplus females was collected from at least 10 cattle from each farm. Collected ticks were taken to the laboratory where the larval progeny were obtained. The modified larval immersion test was used to detect ticks resistant to amitraz. A discriminating dose of 0.0002% amitraz was used. A questionnaire was applied on each collaborating farm. For the statistical analysis a 2x2 contingency table was used to identify potential risk factors. The prevalence of farms with B. microplus resistant to amitraz was 19.40%. However, even though tick resistance to amitraz is a present problem there was no evidence that it was associated with the risk factors analyzed in this survey.

Prevalence and potential risk factors for organophosphate and pyrethroid resistance in Boophilus microplus ticks on cattle ranches from the State of Yucatan, Mexico

A cross-sectional study was carried out in order to investigate the association between management risk factors and the prevalence of organophosphate (OP) and synthetic pyrethroid (SP) resistance in Boophilus microplus ticks in Yucatan State, Mexico. Ninety-eight cattle ranches were randomly selected and a sample of 20-30 engorged female B. microplus ticks was collected at each. The modified larvae packet test was used to detect OP and SP tick resistance. A questionnaire was administered on each ranch. For risk factors, four reference types of response were used: Tuxpan (resistant to coumaphos, chlorfenvinphos and diazinon), Parkhurst (resistant to flumethrin, deltamethrin and cypermethrin), Lamington (resistant to flumethrin in absence of deltamethrin and cypermethrin) and Marmor (resistant to flumethrin and cypermethrin in absence of flumethrin). A primary screening was performed using 2 x 2 contingency tables of exposure variables. All variables with p < or = 0.20 were analyzed by a logistic regression. The prevalence of B. microplus resistance to OP and SP groups were 83.70% and 66.32%, respectively. The prevalence for a single chemical compound was: diazinon (80.60%), coumaphos (45.90%), chlorfenvinphos (35.70%), flumethrin (63.28%), deltamethrin (61.22%), and cypermethrin (59.18%). The prevalence type of response was: Tuxpan (34.16%), Parkhurst (58.16%), Lamington (4.08%), and Marmor (4.08%). The use of a different tick control program was the risk management factor associated with the Parkhurst type of response. It is concluded that the prevalence of cattle ranches with B. microplus resistant to OPs and SPs in Yucatan, Mexico, is a current problem, and a treatment interval of > or =6 times/year and use of a tick control program (macrocyclic lactones and pasture burn) different from standard recommended programs are risk factors associated with the Parkhurst type of response.

Efficacy of moxidectin 0.5% pour-on against naturally acquired nematode infections in cattle in the Mexican tropics

The efficacy of 0.5% moxidectin pour-on in cows with naturally acquired nematode infections was evaluated. The study was carried out in a ranch in Veracruz, Mexico. Four groups of 15 cows were randomly allocated. Animals in the treated group received 0.5% moxidectin pour-on at a dose of 0.5 mg/kg body weight on a single occasion. The other two groups remained as untreated controls. Fecal samples from all cattle were taken on days 0 (pre-treatment), 7, 14, 28 and 60 (post-treatment, PT). Fecal egg-counts were determined using a modified McMaster technique and fecal cultures were performed to identify gastrointestinal nematodes infected larvae (L(3)). Treatment with moxidectin was associated with a significant reduction in fecal trichostrongyle egg-counts compared with the controls; efficacy was 100% at 28 days PT. Haemonchus spp. and Strongyloides spp. were the two genera identified from coprocultures.