Application of ethnobotanical repellents and acaricides in prevention, control and management of livestock ticks: A review. (December 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pavela, Roman; Canale, Angelo; Mehlhorn, Heinz; Benelli, Giovanni
• Is Part Of: Research in veterinary science. Volume 109(2016)
• Page Start: 1
• Page End: 9
• Publication Date: 2016-12
• Subjects: Argasidae -- DEET -- Icaridin -- Ixodidae -- Lyme disease -- Rickettsiales; Veterinary medicine -- Periodicals; Veterinary Medicine -- Periodicals; Médecine vétérinaire -- Périodiques; Médecine vétérinaire -- Recherche -- Périodiques; Diergeneeskunde; 636.089
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2016.09.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0034-5288

Abstract

Abstract: Ticks transmit at least the same number or even more pathogens than any other group of blood-feeding arthropods worldwide affecting humans and animals. The eco-friendly control and management of tick vectors in a constantly changing environment is a crucial challenge. Besides the development of vaccines against ticks, IPM practices aimed at reducing tick interactions with livestock, emerging pheromone-based control tools, and few biological control agents, the extensive employment of acaricides and tick repellents still remain the most effective and ready-to-use strategies. However, the former is limited by the development of growing resistances as well as environmental concerns. Exploiting plants and plant products as sources of effective tick repellents and acaricides represents a promising strategy. In this scenario, the preservation of ethnobotanical information on repellent and acaricidal potential of plants is crucial. Here, we evaluated relevant information published in recent years, focused on plants used as repellents and acaricides against tick vectors in different regions worldwide. We selected a total of 238 plant species, which are traditionally used against ticks by native and local communities of Africa (Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, South Africa), Europe (Serbia, Macedonia, Romania), Asia (Pakistan, India) and America (Brazil, Canada), from 56 families. However, only 7 families (i.e. Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae, Lamiaceae, Meliaceae, Apocynaceae and Solanaceae) represent the major quote (46%) of all plant species. We evaluated the differences in acaricidal and repellent efficacy of different formulations used. In the final section, implications arising from the surveyed anti-tick ethnobotanical knowledge and challenges for its future are discussed. Highlights: Eco-friendly control of ticks in a constantly changing environment is a key challenge. Exploiting plants as sources of tick repellents represents a promising strategy. We review ethnoveterinary knowledge on 237 repellent plants used on ticks attacking livestock. The most common families are Asteraceae, Euphorbiaceae, Fabaceae and Lamiaceae. Differences in repellent efficacy in relation to the used formulation were discussed.