Eficácia do regulador de crescimento de artrópodes fluazuron no controle da pulga Ctenocephalides felis felis (Bouché, 1835) (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) em cães

Abstract

This study was realized with the objective of to evaluate the inhibitory activity of the insect growth regulator, fluazuron, on evolutive stages and adults of Ctenocephalides felis felis. Twelve beagle dogs were utilized divided into two groups of six animals on day 0 (treatment day). Group 1: Dogs were treated with a pour on formulation of 2.5% fluazuron, in the dosis of 10 mg/kg body weight and; Group 2: Dogs were maintained untreated (control). Each dog was infested with 200 specimens of C. felis felis. Reinfestations were performed on days +5, +12, +19, +26, +33, and +40. Seventy four hours after each infestation, animals were placed in individual pet transport boxes for four hours. Afterwards, the material present in the bottom of each box was collected and the found eggs were quantified. Half of the eggs were incubated with 0.5g of an artificial diet for larval maintenance in a BOD incubator in the temperature of 28ºC and relative humidity of 75 ± 10%. Seven days after, the material were fixed in 70% ethanol and evaluated for larval eclosion. After 25 days, half rest were also fixed in 70% ethanol and evaluated for the emergency of adult fleas. Each dog was combed until complete removal of fleas. Thus, fleas were quantified sexed, being evaluated the interference caused by fluazuron on adult recovery, and possibly, a different effect per gender. In order to evaluate the activity of fluazuron on oviposition of C. felis felis, the ratio between egg production and number of recovered females. The efficacy of fluazuron on C. felis felis development from egg to larvae on days +8, +15, +22 and +29 was higher 80%. For the development from egg to adult, the efficacy remained above 80% for 22 days after treatment, reaching 100% on day +15. A significant aulticidal efficacy of fluazuron was observed on days +8; +22; +36 e +43. Regarding to female fleas was observed significant difference on days +8; +22 e +36 and, for males on days +8 and +36. The efficacy of fluazuron on the inhibition of oviposition did not presented significance throughout the 43 experimental days. Fluazuron has efficacy on the development from egg to larva and egg to adult of C. felis felis. However, it shows low adulticidal activity, and does not interfere on fleas´s oviposition.