Larvicidal activity of the entomopathogenic fungi and nematode against the cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus Canestrini (Ixodida: Ixodidae)

Document Type : Correspondence

Authors

1 Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics,Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology, Tibanga, Iligan City 9200, The Philippines

2 Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science and Mathematics, Mindanao State University–Iligan Institute of Technology, Tibanga, Iligan City 9200, The Philippines

3 National Biological Control Research Center-The Upper Northeast, Khon Kaen University, Mittraphap Road, Nai-Muang, Muang District, Khon Kaen, 40002, The Philippines

Abstract
This study evaluated the acaricidal potential of the entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium pingshaense and the entomopathogenic nematode Steinernema siamkayai, applied individually and in combination, against Rhipicephalus microplus larvae. The combined treatment produced high mortality comparable to the chemical acaricide Amitraz and significantly greater than the untreated control. Although mortality values among biological treatments were statistically comparable, the combined application consistently yielded the highest numerical efficacy. These findings support the potential integration of EPF–EPN combinations as sustainable biological alternatives for cattle tick management.

Keywords


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