Acaricidal potential of essential oils on Rhipicephalus linnaei: Alternatives and prospects

The acaricidal potential of various essential oils (EOs) has been evaluated based on their benefits in tick control. This study aimed to investigate the tick-killing activity of Pogostemon cablin “patchouli,” Cymbopogon martinii “palmarosa,” and Cymbopogon flexuosus “lemongrass” EOs on Rhipicephalus linnaei. Engorged females were collected from domiciled and non-domiciled dogs from Jataí city, Goiás state, to obtain larvae and nymphs in a controlled environment. Two commercial EOs brands were used in this study in different EOs concentrations (2.5, 5, 10, and 20 mg/mL), and was tested by immersion of larvae and nymphs. In the in vitro evaluation of EOs toxicity against R. linnaei larvae, 100 % mortality was achieved with 10 mg/mL of P. cablin oil, whereas mortality rates greater than 98 % were observed with 20 mg/mL of C. martinii and C. flexuosus. In nymphs, high sensitivity was observed, with 100 % mortality achieved using 5 mg/mL of P. cablin and 20 mg/mL of C. martinii and C. flexuosus. The EO of P. cablin “patchouli” demonstrated in vitro toxicity at a lower concentration than the other oils in the two development stages of R. linnaei, and was considered the most efficient and with verified acaricidal activity. Oils of C. martinii “palmarosa” and C. flexuosus “lemongrass” achieved mortality greater than 95 % in larvae and nymphs only at the highest concentration. Therefore, the acaricidal effects of the tested EOs are promising, especially of patchouli oil, which promoted high mortality at a low concentration (LC₉₀ of 2.21 mg/mL).