Efficiency of the latex from Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii (N.E. Br.) Ursch & Leandri, Euphorbiaceae, in the control of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae)

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the latex from Euphorbia splendens var. hislopii (N.E. Br.) Ursch & Leandri, Euphorbiaceae, on the eggs and engorged larvae of Rhipicephalus (B.) sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae). Six aqueous concentrations: 25, 50, 100, 125, 250 and 500 μL/L of the latex of this plant were tested. The control group was tested only with distilled water. The latex of E. splendens var. hislopii presented an LD50 of 18.031 μL/L and LD90 of 84.610 μL/L against the eggs of R. (B.) sanguineus. The larvae of all the groups treated with the latex presented a low survival rate of 0 percent at 25 μL/L, 1 percent at 50 μL/L, 2 percent at 100 μL/L, 3 percent at 125 μL/L, 9 percent at 250 μL/L, 5 percent at 500 μL/L when compared with the control group (91 percent). On day 7 and 14 after the application the latex killed more efficiently the treated groups (25, 50, 100, 125, 250 and 500 μL/L). As from day 21 the latex became less effective for all treatments. Our results clearly show that the aqueous concentration of the latex have a strong effect on tick eggs and larvae suggesting that it could become an important acaricide.