Abstract
The effects of aqueous root extracts of Senna italica subsp. arachoides on the feeding performance of adults of Hyalomma marginatum rufipes in three consecutive infestations of rabbits were studied under laboratory conditions. Rabbits were divided into treatment group (n = 3), fed aqueous root extracts and rabbit pellets while the control group (n = 3) was fed with rabbit pellets and given distilled water only. Ticks that infested the treatment rabbits fed poorly, taking significantly longer feeding periods (P < 0.05) to acquire the bloodmeal, and having significantly reduced engorgement weights (P < 0.05) compared to those that fed on the control rabbits during the first and second infestations. These results suggest that aqueous root extracts of S. italica subsp. arachoides reduced the feeding performance of H. marginatum rufipes adults.
Highlights
It is well known that laboratory hosts such as guinea pigs and rabbits acquire some degree of anti-tick resistance when subjected to repeated tick infestations (Rechav et al, 1994)
Ticks that infested the treatment rabbits fed poorly, taking significantly longer feeding periods (P < 0.05) to acquire the bloodmeal, and having significantly reduced engorgement weights (P < 0.05) compared to those that fed on the control rabbits during the first and second infestations. These results suggest that aqueous root extracts of S. italica subsp. arachoides reduced the feeding performance of H. marginatum rufipes adults
Data obtained from this study suggested that aqueous root extracts of S. italica subsp. arachoides reduced the feeding performance of H. marginatum rufipes adults
Summary
It is well known that laboratory hosts such as guinea pigs and rabbits acquire some degree of anti-tick resistance when subjected to repeated tick infestations (Rechav et al, 1994). Ticks feeding on laboratory hosts that are resistant, typically spend extended periods on the hosts trying to complete the bloodmeal and have reduced weight of engorgement compared to those that feed on naïve hosts (Rechav and Dauth, 1987) Based on this understanding, many researchers believe that induction of host resistance to tick infestation is a promising tick control method that excludes the use of chemicals. Many researchers believe that induction of host resistance to tick infestation is a promising tick control method that excludes the use of chemicals Chemicals such as organophosphates and formamides are largely relied upon as agents for tick control (Fletcher, 1984).
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