Larvicidal potencial of Sapindus saponaria (Sapindaceae) against Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Latreille, 1806) (Acari: Ixodidae)

The larvicidal potential of the crude ethanolic extracts (CEE) of the stem peel of Sapindus saponaria was evaluated against Rhipicephalus songuineus. Lethal concentrations (LC), were calculated by preparing CEE solutions at different concentrations in distilled water. Larvae fasted for 14-21 days were utilized in the bioassays, after incubation of engorged females collected from infested environments frequented by dogs in several neighborhoods of Goiania, GO. Bioassays were performed in a specially constructed biological chamber for testing botanical acaricides, acclimatized to 27 +/- 1 degrees C, RH>80%. The larvae were counted on filter paper envelopes impregnated with the solutions or distilled water and larval mortality observed after 48h. S. saponaria showed good larvicidal activity (LC50 and LC99 of 1994 and 3922ppm, respectively) and the results demonstrated its potential as a botanical acaricide and an alternative control measure for R. sanguineus.