Utilização dos banheiros de imersão no controle do carrapato Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini, 1887) (Acari: Ixodidae) e sua relação com a resistência a acaricidas no sul do Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

Practices of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus control are problematic in many livestock production systems and have worldwide increased. In the south region of Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil, where beef cattle are breed, dip baths are the main option for acaricide treatments. Thus, the aim of this study consist in: (i) to know the epidemiological aspects of dip baths use for R. (B.) microplus control in south of Brazil, (ii) to evaluate chemical sensibility of R. (B.) microplus in beef farms with cattle dip baths, (iii) to evaluate dip baths structure and maintenance conditions, and (iiii) to evaluate tick control handlings procedures. An epidemiologic inquiry was applied to 110 beef farmers holding plunge cattle dips, which were located in eight tows in the south region. The obtained results showed that dip baths were unable on 27.3% (30/110) of the properties,mainly due to the presence of resistance to most of the acaricide classes (40% - 12/30). Dip baths have been active in 72.7% (80/110) and amitraz is the most used acaricide in 82.5% (66/80) of these farms, followed by associations of pyrethroids and organophosphates in 16.2% (13/80), and nonassociated pyrethroids in 1.3% (1/80) of properties. Suitable number of engorged female ticks to laboratory sensibility test were obtained in 17.5% (14/80) of farms, demonstrating that 42.9% (6/14) of tick populations were sensible to amitraz, while 85.7% (12/14) were susceptible to associations, and none was sensible to pyrethroids. Moreover, in vitro tests revealed that dip baths solutions were only efficient in 35.7% (5/14) of them. Although the dip baths presents a mean age of 35 years, most farmers have no claims of physical infrastructure issues. The main criterion for the decision of the immersion baths application is the visualization of the immature ticks on cattle in 66% (53/80) of the properties and five or more applications per year were performed in 65% (52/80) of them. Moreover, the simultaneous use of other acaricides on injectable forms and pour-on, and the extension of the parasitism period to the winter months suggested that tick control in the region is reason for concern. It was also concluded that pyrethroids have been replaced by amitraz in last years, and nowdays this acaricide is being replaced by associations of pyrethroids with organophosphates, a viable alternative for most of the farms according to the in vitro tests.