Abstract
The poultry red mite Dermanyssus gallinae is a strict hematophagous parasite of birds, causing major health and economic problems in poultry farms worldwide. The use of plant-derived repellents against this pest could be an alternative control method as part of Integrated Pest Management strategies. In this review, the different types of repellents and the testing methods used to explore them in arthropods are synthesized. State-of-the-art knowledge on the repellent properties of natural plant-derived substances against D. gallinae is established. Studies reporting repellent properties exerted by plant-derived substances against D. gallinae are reviewed, and the level of discrimination between the different types of properties achieved by the experimental designs implemented is examined. Factors that may modulate repellent activity in arthropods are reviewed, and the available evidence for D. gallinae is highlighted. A framework is proposed for the rational use of knowledge from experiments for the implementation of Integrated Pest Management (IPM). In addition, to optimize the implementation of IPM strategies for D. gallinae, the current knowledge related to the risk of emergence of resistance to natural repellents is documented. This phenomenon has not been explored in D. gallinae to date, but resistance to several repellent substances has been reported in insects, with some cross-resistance between repellents and neurotoxic insecticides.
Highlights
The poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer, 1778), is a strictly hematophagous ectoparasitic mite frequently found in laying hen farms worldwide (Sparagano et al 2014)
We provide an overview of the available knowledge on the different types of plantderived repellents against D. gallinae as alternative Integrated Pest Management (IPM) products that could help to reduce the use of synthetic treatments (see principle (2) of IPM above), taking into account possible resistance development against them (see principle (3) above)
According to a mathematical model, an increase in the time between blood meals in female mosquitoes can have a significant effect on the population dynamics of this bloodfeeding insect (Wan et al 2014). If this applies to D. gallinae, it is possible to hypothesize that making the hen repellent or less attractive via plantbased feed supplementation (e.g., El Adouzi et al 2019) could contribute to delay the population growth of D. gallinae by extending the duration of fasting between two blood meals and lengthening the time between laying or molting. Another hypothesis would be that pushing D. gallinae away from its microhabitats by means of true repellent substances could reduce the maximum size of infestation in farm buildings by limiting the availability of favourable habitats and exposing mites to increased contact with conventional acaricides with biopesticides
Summary
The poultry red mite, Dermanyssus gallinae (De Geer, 1778), is a strictly hematophagous ectoparasitic mite frequently found in laying hen farms worldwide (Sparagano et al 2014). Premise sprays are unable to effectively target mites that are secluded in interstices, as many products lack prolonged residual toxicities in the dusty interiors of poultry facilities The effectiveness of such treatments is generally insufficient to deliver control, and highlevel infestations of D. gallinae persist in farms regardless of spray operations.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
