Adulticidal and oviposition- and hatching-altering activities of essential oil from Mexican oregano leaves (Lippia graveolens H.B.K.) against the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

ABSTRACT

Adulticidal and oviposition- and hatching-altering activities of essential oil extracted from Mexican oregano leaves (Lippia graveolens H.B.K.) (OEO) were evaluated on engorged adult female Rhipicephalus microplus ticks using the adult immersion test bioassay. Twofold dilutions of OEO were tested from a starting dilution of 10% down to 1.25%. Results showed 100% adulticidal activity at 10% OEO concentration and oviposition inhibition of 65.8% and 40.9% at 5.0% and 2.5% OEO concentration, respectively. Egg hatching inhibition was achieved by 26.0% and 11.5% at 5.0% and 2.5% OEO concentration, respectively. These effects could be attributed to OEO major components thymol, carvacrol and p-cymene, which together account for more than 60.0% of the OEO chemical composition. Mexican oregano could represent a potential source for development of alternative tick control agents.