This research was aimed at evaluating in vitro and in vivo effects of lemongrass (Cymbopogon flexuosus Stapf) oil on cattle ticks (Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus). Negative control group and eight concentrations of lemongrass oil (0.5; 1; 2; 5; 10; 20; 50; 100%), were used on in vitro trials with engorged female ticks. The efficacy of control ticks was 0; 20; 39; 99.5; 100; 100; 100; 100 and 100%, respectively. For the in vivo trial, eighteen Holstein cows were allocated to three groups (negative control, lemongrass oil at 2.0% - level estimated by regression analysis, accounting for 95% efficacy of control ticks on in vitro trial, and amitraz at 0.025%). Engorged female ticks were counted before (mean of days -3, -2, -1) and after treatment (1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 14 and 21 days). The efficacy of control ticks was 0; 54 and 74.5%, respectively, at 21 days after treatment. Physiologic variables were evaluated after treatments (negative control x phytotherapic treatment). Similar results were found between the treatments for physiological variables.
Acaricide; lactating cows; physiological variables; phytotherapy
