In vitro evaluation of the acaricidal effect of three essential oils extracted from aromatic local plants on Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus ticks in Benin

Abstract

Acaricidal activity, of essential oils extracted from the leaves of Chenopodium ambrosioides; Ocimum canum and Citrus aurantium in Benin, was tested in vitro on Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus cattle tick using the test contact. The results showed that all these oils have a positive effect on Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus. However, the effect of Chenopodium ambrosioides essential oil was stronger than that of the two other plants: 100% mortality at (0.25μl/cm2) compare to 60% (0.25μl/cm2) for Ocimum canum and 43% for (0.25μl/cm2) Citrus aurantium respectively. The value of LD50 obtained was: 0.02μl/cm2, 0.06μl/cm2, and 0.75μl/ cm2 for Chenopodium ambrosioides, Ocimum canum and Citrus aurantium essential oil respectively. Analysis of the variance of the daily cumulative mortality data in relation to the dose of essential oil used showed significant differences at 5% threshold. Thus, the use of Chenopodium ambrosioide’s essential oil as an alternative control method of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus could be consider as for the development of cattle breeding in Benin.