Comparative efficacy of tobacco leaves and amitraz against ticks.

Abstract

The cattle tick, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus is one.of the most important ectoparasites of cattle. Traditional tick control is mainly based on the use of synthetic chemicals However ticks are developing resistance to most of the available acaricides and also have many negative side effects. The aim of present study was to compare the efficacy of Ntcotiana tabacum and Amitraz against Rhipicephalus appendiculatus using modified Adult Immersion Test (AlT). The tobacco leaves Were prepared by the crude method. The efficacy of tobacco leaves and Amitraz Was tested on 'engorged female ticks using adult immersion test (AIT). In the adult immersion test; mortality and percent control was obtained at concentrations (%) of 20, 50 and 80 for tobacco leaves whereas Amitraz was diluted as recommend by manufacturer (2ml/l). The average number of ticks that survived after seven (7) days having been immersed in the acaricide for ten (10) minutes was 9, 7 and 4 for 20%.; 50% and 80% tobacco leaves extract concentration. The mass of eggs was 1.033, 0.830 and 0.517 for 20%, 50% and 80% tobacco leaves extract respectively. The percent control was. highest for tobacco leaves in 80% and 50% at 29.78% and56.261% respectively. The Amitraz gave the highest percent control of 98.233%. In conclusion, tobacco leaves have acaricidal activity against R. appendiculatus but Amitraz has a higher efficacy than tobacco leaves