Development of amitraz resistance in field populations of Boophilus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae) undergoing typical amitraz exposure in the Mexican tropics

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of amitraz selection pressure on the development of resistance in field populations of Boophilus microplus in the Mexican tropics. Three farms (FA1, FA2 and FA3) in Yucatan, Mexico, were selected in this study. Amitraz was applied as a whole body sprays to all cattle on each farm for tick control once monthly for 15 months. From each farm, 20–30 B. microplus engorged females were collected every 3 months. The modified larval immersion test was used to test susceptibility of B. microplus to amitraz. Larvae were exposed to serial dilutions of amitraz. Probit analysis was used to determine lethal dose at 50% mortality and associated 95% confidence limits. The resistance factors found in the three farms during the 15 months of amitraz selection pressure were FA1 (1, 2, 4, 4 and 13), FA2 (1, 6, 23, 21 and 22) and FA3 (2, 13, 2, 6 and 6). It is concluded that amitraz selection pressure on field populations of B. microplus increased the resistance level in all populations studied in the Mexican tropics.