In vitro action of ultra diluted and dynamized preparations on larvae of Cochliomyia hominivorax (DIPTERA: CALLIPHORIDAE)

Abstract

Infestations with Cochliomyia hominivorax cause severe damage to zootechnical animals and
to breeders. The control of these infestations is an important sanitary challenge in agroecological
production systems. This is due to the impediment of the use of synthetic molecules
in these systems, along with the shortage of alternatives to the use of these substances. The
legislation that regulates organic production in Brazil (Normative Instruction MAPA No. 46 of
10/6/2011) recommends the use of Homeopathy as a tool in sanitary control of these production
systems. Thus, the present study evaluated the in vitro larvicidal effect of the ultra diluted
and dynamized preparations, Ledum Palustre CH12 and Sulfúri CH30 in larvae of the third stage
of this fly. The test consisted in subjecting healthy C. hominivorax larvae in the third stage
to direct contact with the preparations and in observing the effect of this on their development.
Sulfur had an efficiency of 19.94% and Ledum Palustre obtained 18.12%. The results showed
that the diluted and energized preparations tested have a larvicidal effect in vitro. The findings corroborate recent work indicating that bacteria and fungi are sensitive to the presence of ultra-
diluted and energized preparations.