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Resistance status of ticks (Acari; Ixodidae) to amitraz and cypermethrin acaricides in Isoka District, Zambia

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Abstract

This study was designed to obtain data on the farmer’s approach to tick control and to determine whether Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Neuman, Amblyomma variegatum (Fabricius), and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus (Canestrini) were resistant to amitraz and cypermethrin acaricides, in Isoka District, Zambia. Prevailing tick control practices were documented by administering a semi-structured questionnaire to 80 randomly selected smallholder livestock farmers from four agricultural camps (Longwe, Kantenshya, Kapililonga, and Ndeke) in Isoka District. Modified larval packet test (LPT) bioassay experiments were used to determine the resistance status of the common tick species against amitraz and cypermethrin acaricides. Fifty percent of respondents practiced chemical tick control with amitraz (27 %) and cypermethrin (23 %) being the acaricides in use, and were applied with knapsack sprayers. Less than 3 l of spray wash per animal was used which was considerably lower than the recommended delivery rate of 10 l of spray wash per animal. No significant susceptibility change to amitraz at 95 % confidence level was observed in R. appendiculatus and A. variegatum against amitraz. However, a significant change in the susceptibility of R. (Bo.) microplus tested with amitraz was detected at 95 % confidence. The test population had a lower susceptibility (LD50 0.014 %; LD90 0.023 %) than the reference population (LD50 0.013 %; LD90 0.020 %). The results indicated that resistance to amitraz was developing in R. (Bo.) microplus. For cypermethrin, no significant susceptibility change at 95 % confidence was observed in any of the three species and thus resistance to this chemical was not observed.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge financial support from the Ministry of Agriculture and livestock, Zambia. They also extend their thanks to Tedwell Mulutula, Boniface Mulima, Alfred Siame and Gilbert Munongo (Veterinary Assistants, Isoka District) whose kind assistance made this work possible. Similar thanks also go to Dr Hachamba (Veterinary Officer, Isoka District) who allowed use of his staff during the course of this work. Lastly, we thank all members of the farming community in Isoka District for their willingness to participate in the survey and allow their animals to be sampled for the study.

Statement of human and animal rights

Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study. All applicable international and national guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that they have no competing interests.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Science, University of Zambia, Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia

    Jackson Muyobela & Philip Obed Yobe Nkunika

  2. Department of Veterinary and Tsetse Control Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Box 410110, Kasama, Zambia

    Jackson Muyobela

  3. School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia

    Enala Tembo Mwase

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  1. Jackson Muyobela
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  2. Philip Obed Yobe Nkunika
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Correspondence to Jackson Muyobela.

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Muyobela, J., Nkunika, P.O.Y. & Mwase, E.T. Resistance status of ticks (Acari; Ixodidae) to amitraz and cypermethrin acaricides in Isoka District, Zambia. Trop Anim Health Prod 47, 1599–1605 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-015-0906-4

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