Tick control in cattle in the Ecuadorian tropics through Entomopathogenic Fungi implementation

Authors: HIDALGO, DAVID - National Institute For Agricultural Research (INIAP); Ramirez, Jose; NAVARRETE, MERCEDES - National Institute For Agricultural Research (INIAP); CEVALLOS, VICTOR - National Institute For Agricultural Research (INIAP); RAMOS, MARIO - National Institute For Agricultural Research (INIAP); BRAVO, BILL - Technological University Of Manabi; CARRAANZA, KLEVER - Technological University Of Manabi; MONTES, VICTOR - Technological University Of Manabi; Perez De Leon, Adalberto

Submitted to: Frontiers in Fungal Biology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/6/2025
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Cattle are treated intensely with synthetic chemicals, or acaricides, to control tick infestations. This process selects populations of ticks resistant to acaricides. The problem with acaricide resistance highlights the need for alternative solutions, such as the development and commercialization of biopesticides known as mycopesticides because they include as active ingredients fungi that can kill ticks, also known as entomopathogenic fungi. The cattle tick, or southern cattle fever tick, scientifically known as Rhipicephalus microplus is a major cause of economic loss to livestock producers in countries like Ecuador where it remains established. This cattle tick feeds on blood and is a vector of microbes that cause diseases including bovine babesiosis and anaplasmosis. By comparison, the United States’ cattle herd is free of bovine babesiosis through efforts of the Cattle Fever Tick Eradication Program. In Ecuador over 75% of the livestock farms are infested with this cattle tick and acaricide resistance is widespread in the country. This minireview describes a project at the Santo Domingo Experimental Station of Ecuador’s National Institute of Agricultural Research to develop biopesticides for tick management, which exemplifies advances in collaborative research on the use of mycopesticides to control R. microplus. A strain of the fungus Beauveria bassiana designated as INIAP L3B3 killed ticks in laboratory tests. Repeated spray treatment of an experimental water formulation of B. bassiana INIAP L3B3 had an effect comparable to treatment with a commercial acaricidal mixture containing a pyrethroid and an organophosphate. Results obtained with this project indicate that B. bassiana INIAP L3B3 can be registered as an eco-friendly mycopesticide alternative to acaricides or could complement conventional chemical acaricide applications for integrated R. microplus management programs in support of sustainable cattle raising in Ecuador.

Technical Abstract: Ecuador is one of the countries in the world where ticks and tick-borne diseases are major constrains on cattle health and productivity. The intense use of synthetic acaricides to manage tick infestations resulted in widespread acaricide resistance in the tick Rhipicephalus microplus, which is known to infest over 75% of the farms where cattle are raised in the country. Sustainable and environmentally friendly alternatives to control the cattle tick R. microplus are needed urgently. This minireview describes a project at the Santo Domingo Experimental Station of the National Institute of Agricultural Research to develop biopesticides for tick management to exemplify advances in collaborative research on the use of entomopathogenic fungi as active ingredients, or mycopesticides, in formulations to control R. microplus. Research and development conducted in multiple phases revealed the in vitro and in vivo acaricidal properties of B. bassiana strain INIAP L3B3. These efforts followed efficacy and safety norms issued by the government Agency of Ecuador in charge of controls and regulations to protect an improve animal health, plant health, and food safety. Results described herein indicate that B. bassiana INIAP L3B3 can be registered as an eco-friendly mycopesticide alternative to synthetic chemical acaricides or could complement conventional chemical acaricide applications for integrated R. microplus management programs in support of sustainable cattle raising in Ecuador.