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In vitro acaricidal activity of Bobgunnia madagascariensis Desv. against Amblyomma variegatum (Fabricius) (Acari: Ixodidae)

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Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine the acaricidal properties of Bobgunnia madagascariensis (Desv.) J.H. Kirkbr. and Wiersema (Leguminosae) against adult Amblyomma variegatum (Fabricius) ticks, using Tephrosia vogelii Hook.f. (Leguminosae) as a positive control. Plant extracts of both were prepared using methanol, acetone and chloroform as extraction solvents. Methanol leaf extracts of T. vogelii (0.014 g) and methanol fruit extracts of B. madagascariensis (0.0062 g) gave the highest mean extraction weights among the plant parts and solvents used. In free contact bioassays, only methanol extracts of the bark and leaf material of T. vogelii and methanol fruit extracts of B. madagascariensis produced 100 % mortality of A. variegatum ticks in 24 h. The acaricidal activity of methanol leaf extracts of T. vogelii persisted for up to 8 days while that of fruit extracts of B. madagascariensis persisted for only 6 days. In topical application bioassays, the toxicity of T. vogelii and B. madagascariensis extracts was found to be significantly different at 95 % confidence level, with B. madagascariensis extracts (LD50 0.030 w/v) being more toxic than T. vogelii extracts (LD50 0.555 w/v). This study has shown that plant extracts of B. madagascariensis and T. vogelii extracts have significant in vitro acaricidal activity against A. variegatum ticks and can thus be considered as alternatives for tick control. Further research is however required on persistence, safety and the required application rates.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to acknowledge the financial support from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Zambia. They also extend their thanks to Tedwell Mulutula, Boniface Mulima, Alfred Siame and Gilbert Munongo (Veterinary Assistants, Isoka District) whose kind assistance made this work possible. Similar thanks also go to Dr Hachamba (Veterinary Officer, Isoka District) who allowed us to use his staff during the course of this work. Lastly, we thank all the members of the farming community in Isoka District for allowing their animals to be sampled for the study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biological Science, University of Zambia, Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia

    Jackson Muyobela

  2. Department of Veterinary and Tsetse Control Services, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Box 410110, Kasama, Zambia

    Jackson Muyobela & Philip Obed Yobe Nkunika

  3. School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia

    Enala Tembo Mwase

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  1. Jackson Muyobela
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  2. Philip Obed Yobe Nkunika
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Correspondence to Jackson Muyobela.

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Muyobela, J., Nkunika, P.O.Y. & Mwase, E.T. In vitro acaricidal activity of Bobgunnia madagascariensis Desv. against Amblyomma variegatum (Fabricius) (Acari: Ixodidae). Trop Anim Health Prod 48, 625–631 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-016-1009-6

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