Susceptibility of a Jamaican Strain of the Cattle Tick Boophilus microplus to Various Acaricides

Abstract

This paper gives a brief account of the past and present chemical control of the cattle tick in Jamaica. Bioassay data on the susceptibility pattern of a local population of Boophilus microplus to 35 modern acaricides is also presented. In general, carbamates were more toxic than organophosphates or formamidines, whereas chlorinated hydrocarbons were least effective. Compared with the susceptible Yeerongpilly strain of Australia, the Jamaican population shows 1.6 to 6 fold resistance to some carbamates and organophosphates and about 147 fold resistance to lindane. The possibility of greater resistance in other populations and alternative strategies are discussed.