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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #164602

Title: EFFICACY OF ACARICIDES FOR CONTROL OF FOUR TICK SPECIES OF AGRICULTURAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH SIGNIFICANCE IN THE UNITED STATES

Author
item BURRIDGE, MICHAEL - UNIV OF FLORIDA
item SIMMONS, LEIGH-ANNE - UNIV OF FLORIDA
item Allan, Sandra - Sandy

Submitted to: Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/19/2004
Publication Date: 10/1/2004
Citation: Burridge, M.J., Simmons, L., Allan, S.A. 2004. Efficacy of acaricides for control of four tick species of agricultural and public health significance in the united states. Journal of Agricultural and Urban Entomology. v. 20(4):207-219.

Interpretive Summary: Tick species of veterinary important both as disease vectors and nuisances include Amblyomma maculatum, Amblyomma americanum, Amblyomma cajennense, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Effective pesticides are critical for control of these species. A scientist currently with the USDA's Center for Medical, Veterinary and Agricultural Entomology, Gaineville FL had worked with scientists at the University of Florida to determine the most effective pesticides for rapid control of these species. Cyfluthrin and permethrin were most effective against Amblyomma ticks and fipronil, carbaryl and cyfluthrin were effective against Rhipicephalus sanguineus. This research provides important information for the agricultural and veterinary personnel for increased control and reduced risk of disease from these tick vectors.

Technical Abstract: Four acaricides (amitraz), cyfluthrin, permethrin and pyrethrins) were studied for their efficacy in killing three Amblyomma ticks (A. americanum, A. cajennense, and A. maculatum) and eight (amitraz, carbaryl, chlorpyrifos, cyfluthrin, fipronil, permethrin, pyrethrins and selamectin) for their efficacy in killing Rhipicephalus sanguineus. All three Amblyomma spp. were significantly more sensitive to cyfluthrin and permethrin than the other acaricides tested. Rhipicephalus sanguineus was most sensitive to fipronil, carbaryl and cyfluthrin.