Abstract

SANTAMARIA, Erika; CABRERA, Olga Lucía; ZIPA, Yaneth  and  PARDO, Raúl Hernando. Field efficacy of repellent formulation containing para-menthane-3,8-diol and lemongrass against Culicoides pachymerus (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) in Colombia. Biomédica [online]. 2012, vol.32, n.3, pp.457-460. ISSN 0120-4157.  https://doi.org/10.7705/biomedica.v32i3.738.

Introduction. Culicoides pachymerus is a major pest species for the inhabitants of the western Boyacá province of Colombia. Objective. The effect of a repellent lotion based on p-menthane-3,8-diol (16%) and lemongrass oil (2%) was evaluated against the bites of C. pachymerus. Materials and methods. The repellent lotion was compared simultaneously with a control (no treatment) by human landing catches of C. pachymerus on the forearms of paired volunteers situated near human dwellings. Protection percentage and protection time for 3 to 6 h after repellent application was calculated. The test was repeated ten times. Results. Only two females of C. pachymerus were collected on arms with the repellent treatment. In contrast, the mean biting rate in the untreated control was 47.7 midges/person/10 min. Mean protection percentage of the repellent was 100% up to 4 h and 99.5% up to 5 h. Protection time was 332.2 and 338.2 min in the two replicates where bites of C. pachymerus were confirmed. In the remaining eight replicates protection time exceeded the test duration. Conclusion. The repellent showed high efficacy against C. pachymerus, up to 5 h post-application.

Keywords : Ceratopogonidae; insect repellent; Colombia.

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