Anti-tick effects of Stylosanthes humilis and Stylosanthes hamata on plots experimentally infested with Boophilus microplus larvae in Morelos, Mexico.

The anti-tick effects of the tropical pasture legumes Stylosanthes humilis and Stylosanthes hamata were evaluated and compared with two common grasses, Cenchurus ciliaris and Andropogon gayanus, in the state of Morelos, Mexico, on plots experimentally infested with larvae of the tick Boophilus microplus. The effect was evaluated by recovery of larvae from the experimental plots by flagging during a 4 week period. The anti-tick effect due to Stylosanthes was significantly higher for S. humilis and S. hamata (p < 0.05) and slightly better for S. humilis (3% survival) than for S. hamata (12% survival). Further studies are required to determine the potential role of Stylosanthes plants for tick control in Mexico.