Anti-tick potential forrage. Volatile substances effect on infestive larvae of Boophilus microplus (Can., 1887)

Abstract

In the pasture species Andropogon gayanus cv. Planaltina, Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu, Melinis minutiflora, Stylosanthes guianensis cv. Bandeirante and Stylosanthes viscosa the presence of anti-tick volatile substances that act against infestive Boophilus microplus larvae was investigated. Gauze sachets containing tick larvae were deposited in the pasture plots in different places, without direct contact between pasture and larvae. In a first experiment, collections were made at two and five days, and in the second experiment, at five and ten days, analysing the activity and survival of tick larvae. No species showed any effect that could be considered as anti-tick effect with respect to localization of B. microplus larvae or exposure time.