Resumen

MOLLERICONA, Jose Luis et al. Mange in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and its treatment with maicha (Senecio rufescens, Asteraceae: Senecioneae) in the Apolobamba National Natural Integrated Management Area, Bolivia. Ecología en Bolivia [online]. 2025, vol.60, n.2, pp.49-59.  Epub 30-Sep-2025. ISSN 1605-2528.

Sarcoptic mange is a disease caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei (Sarcoptidae) mite that affects South American camelids, causing decreased productivity, poor growth, and affecting fibre quality, which has an impact on the local economy. In this ethnoveterinary study, the acaricidal effect of an extract from the native plant species maicha (Senecio rufescens, Asteraceae: Senecioneae) was evaluated in the treatment of sarcoptic mange in alpacas from four communities in the provinces of Bautista Saavedra and Franz Tamayo in the Apolobamba National Integrated Management Area in the department of La Paz. In February and March 2023, three treatment groups were studied: the maicha group, the 3.15% LA ivermectin group, and the animal fat group. Prior to treatment, the presence of S. scabiei was confirmed in all animals with clinical scabies lesions by skin scraping and observation of the mite under a microscope. The maicha extract and animal fat were applied topically, and ivermectin 3.15% LA was administered at a rate of 630 mcg/kg subcutaneously. Maicha and ivermectin were applied only once, while animal fat was repeated after 15 days. All groups were monitored for 35 days, with a review of the lesions every seven days. The efficacy of the maicha and ivermectin treatments reached 100 % for the control of sarcoptic mange in alpacas, unlike the animal fat group, which was not effective in controlling mange in alpacas. According to the generalised linear model, maicha and ivermectin treatments demonstrate significant efficacy in treating lesions caused by sarcoptic mange in alpacas (P<0.05), according to the days of follow-up. The extract based on the maicha plant is a sustainable organic alternative for controlling this disease in alpacas and revalues the ancestral knowledge of the high Andean communities.

Palabras clave : Disease; Ethnoveterinary; Sarcoptic mange; Treatment.

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