Effect of isolate IBCB 130 of the fungus Purpureocillium lilacinum on the tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

ABSTRACT

The importance of in-vitro tests using larvae and adults of the tick Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus in investigating new inputs for its biological control serves as a basis for continuation of field experiments. This article presents in-vitro efficacy data on the fungus Purpureocillium lilacinum (IBCB 130) tested using larvae and engorged females of the tick R. microplus according to modified techniques of SHAW (1966) and MONTEIRO (2014). The efficacy results from the tests on engorged females ranged from 99.6 at the highest concentration used (2x10⁹ conidia/mL) to 51% at the lowest concentration (1x10⁷ conidia/mL). The 50, 90 and 99% lethal concentrations found in the tests on larvae were, respectively, 5.1x10⁸, 5.2x10⁹, and 3.3x10¹¹ conidia/mL. The results from this investigation have enabled field experiments to control the tick R. microplus using the IBCB 130 isolate of the fungus P. lilacinum.

Keywords
biological control; entomopathogenic fungus; bioassay