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BIBTEX RIS

Evaluation of rotational grazing as a control strategy for Rhipicephalus microplus in a tropical region

2020; Elsevier BV; Volume: 131; Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/j.rvsc.2020.04.006

1532-2661

João Eduardo Nicaretta, Jordana Belos dos Santos, Luiz Fellipe Monteiro Couto, Luciana Maffini Heller, Leonardo Bueno Cruvinel, Rubens Dias de Melo Júnior, Alliny Souza de Assis Cavalcante, Dina María Beltrán Zapa, Lorena Lopes Ferreira, Caio Márcio de Oliveira Monteiro, Vando Edésio Soares, Welber Daniel Zanetti Lopes,

Insect and Pesticide Research

Rhipicephalus microplus is the most significant tick of livestock and its control is particularly challenging due to its resistance to commercial acaricides. Pasture rotation is considered a management strategy that could help control R. microplus, however, the literature only contemplates mathematical models and little is known about the effects of this practice in the field. The objective of this work was to determine whether pasture rotation is an efficient method for controlling R. microplus. Two different experiments were performed that involved groups of continuous and rotational grazing bovines. Female ticks measuring 4.5-8.0 mm were counted on animals while larvae in pasture were counted using the flannel drag technique. Treatment for infested bovines was applied when the average group tick count was ≥30 females. The results showed that rotational grazing (with 20-day periods of rest) had a higher tick count on-host than continuous grazing (P < 0.05) and additional bovine treatment was needed. Sixty and 105 days were needed to re-infest and disinfest pasture of R. microplus larvae, respectively. The first treatment of bovines occurred 91 days after the animals were placed in a closed area. The results indicate that rotational grazing is not an efficient way to control R. microplus.