Efficacy and residual activity of amitraz (Taktic R) against Hyalomma dromedarii adult ticks on the one-humpped camel : preliminary study

Abstract

Amitraz (12.5 % emulsifiable concentrate) was tested against Hyalomma dromedarii of the one-humped camel in a dairy camel herd in Nouakchott (Mauritania), at a concentration of 0.025 % of the active component. The efficacy on adult ticks and the rapid rate of tick detachment are clearly shown: 95 % reduction within eight hours; however, the nymphs seem to be more resistant: only 50 % reduction after eight hours. The residual activity of amitraz against Hyalomma dromedarii in camels is very short, less than 24 hours; furthermore, the amitraz treatment has no effect on survival, oviposition and the rate of egg hatching of females which attach in the first days following treatment. A discussion of likely causes of this phenomenon is presented.