<p class="Body"><strong><em>Cymbopogon citratus</em></strong><strong> essential oil-induced ultrastructural &amp; morphological changes in the midgut, cuticle &amp; Haller’s organ of the tick <em>Haemaphysalis longicornis</em> (Acari: Ixodidae)</strong></p>

Abstract

Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann is a widely distributed species known for its capacity to transmit pathogens of medical, public health, and veterinary importance. Due to the environmental contamination caused by synthetic acaricides, plant essential oils have emerged as a promising alternative to manage tick infestation. This study evaluated the ultrastructural and morphological changes induced by Cymbopogon citratus Stapf (lemongrass) essential oil on adult H. longicornis tick. The concentrations of lemongrass essential oil used for the treatment via the adult immersion test were from 10 to 40 mg/mL. The most significant alterations 24 h post-exposure include the proliferation of lysosomes, reduction in the number of the rough endoplasmic reticulum, disorganization of the microvilli, the disappearance of lipid droplets and hematin granules, and cytoplasmic vacuolization (midgut); a thinner endocuticle and epicuticle, the deletion of the subdivision’s demarcation of the procuticle, disfiguration of the lamellar arrangements of the exocuticle, and cytoplasmic vacuolization of the epithelial cells (integument); cracks on the sensilla sockets, the detachment of one or two sensilla in the anterior pit, and partial disfiguration of part of the slit’s edge (Haller’s organ). These results reflect the acaricidal properties of the essential oil and could be an alternative means of tick control.

Carlina acaulis essential oil nanoemulsion as a new grain protectant against different developmental stages of three stored‐product beetles

“…Chaaban et al 57 found that the EO from the turmeric, Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae) leaves caused dryness, color change and distortion of the cuticle in third-instar larvae of the Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina Wiedemann (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Similarly, Agwunobi et al 58 reported that the lemon grass, Cymbopogon citratus Stapf (Poaceae) EO caused ultrastructural changes in the integument of the Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann (Ixodida: Ixodidae). The effects of EOs on the cuticle, as well as structural variation among different species and life stages, could partially explain the variability in mortality rates among T. confusum, T. castaneum and T. molitor.…”

“…found that the EO from the turmeric, Curcuma longa L. (Zingiberaceae) leaves caused dryness, color change and distortion of the cuticle in third‐instar larvae of the Australian sheep blowfly, Lucilia cuprina Wiedemann (Diptera: Calliphoridae). Similarly, Agwunobi et al 58 . reported that the lemon grass, Cymbopogon citratus Stapf (Poaceae) EO caused serious ultrastructural changes in the integument of the Asian longhorned tick, Haemaphysalis longicornis Neumann (Ixodida: Ixodidae).…”

Proteomic analysis suggests that monoterpenes in lemongrass disrupt Ca2+ homeostasis in Haemaphysalis longicornis leading to mitochondrial depolarization and cytotoxicity

“…Additionally, our previous studies demonstrated the acaricidal efficacy of C. citratus essential oil on the mortality and morphology of H. longicornis [33,34], as well as its effects on the expression of glutathione Stransferase (GST) genes of the tick [35].…”

DNA Methyltransferases Contribute to Cold Tolerance in Ticks Dermacentor silvarum and Haemaphysalis longicornis (Acari: Ixodidae)

“…D. silvarum is also the primary vector of two babesiosiscausing parasites, Babesia equi and B. caballi; and the North Asian tick typhus pathogen known as R. sibirica (1). The tick Haemaphysalis longicornis Neuman, is one of the most predominant tick species in Asia countries and a serious pest of livestock in the Australasian and Western Pacific Regions (12,13). H. longicornis has expanded rapidly to many states in the USA since its first identification in New Jersey (14)(15)(16).…”