Potential synergistic effect of Melia azedarach fruit extract and Beauveria bassiana in the control of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) in cattle infestations.
The use of a concentrate emulsion of Melia azedarach green fruits and a suspension of the fungus Beauveria bassiana was evaluated in the control of Rhipicephalus microplus on artificially infested cattle. The evaluation was conducted following the protocol established by the Brazilian Agriculture Ministry. Five groups of 4 or 5 animals were allocated to one of the following treatments: emulsion concentrate of M. azedarach at 0.25% (T AZED 0.25%), emulsion concentrate of M. azedarach at 0.5% (T AZED 0.5%), B. bassiana at 2.4 × 10(8) conidia (T BASS), association of the concentrate of M. azedarach at 0.25% with B. bassiana at 2.4 × 10(8) conidia (T AZED 0.25%+BASS), and control (untreated). The association of the two compounds provided better results than any one isolated treatment, indicating compatibility or perhaps a synergy between M. azedarach and B. bassiana. This treatment resulted in fewer engorged females (129 ± 70) than in the control group (233 ± 82), showing high performance against all developmental stages of the tick. Results revealed an apparent synergistic effect of M. azedarach and B. bassiana in the control of R. microplus that should be further investigated.
Laboratório de Parasitologia Veterinária, Universidade Federal de Goiás, Campus Samambaia (Campus II), CP 131 ZIP 74001-970, Goiânia, GO, Brazil. lorenavet2@yahoo.com.br
Lorena Alessandra Dias
LA
Sousa
Hélio Bernardes
HB
Pires
Sara Fernandes
SF
Soares
Pedro Henrique
PH
Ferri
Patricia
P
Ribas
Eliane Martins
EM
Lima
John
J
Furlong
Vânia Rita Elias Pinheiro
VR
Bittencourt
Wendell Marcelo de Souza
WM
Perinotto
Lígia Miranda Ferreira
LM
Borges
D000818:Animals; D052982:Beauveria / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D001938:Brazil; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D005638:Fruit / Q000737:chemistry; D016014:Linear Models; D031586:Melia azedarach / Q000737:chemistry*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000494:pharmacology; D048494:Rhipicephalus / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000472:pathogenicity; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000662:veterinary*
D010936:Plant Extracts