IN VITRO ACARICIDAL EFFECTS OF SOME INDIGENOUS PLANTS AGAINST BOOPHILUS MICROPLUS (ARACNIDA: IXODIDAE)

In vitro efficacy of neem (Azadirachta indica), bishkatali (Polygonum hydropiper), ata (Annona retirulata), sharifa (A. squamosa) and durba ghas (Cynodon dactylon) against Boophilus microplus (tropical cattle tick) was tested during the period from July to December 2004 in the Department of Parasitology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh. To prepare the paste, aqueous and ethanol extracts, the leaves of neem, bishkatali, ata, sharifa and leaves along with stem of durba ghas were used. Three different types of preparation of plant materials such as paste, aqueous extracts and ethanol extracts were applied in three methods such as thin layer of paste, as spray and as impregnated filter paper (IFP). Extracts were used in 0.5%, 1 % and 2% concentrations and the percent mortality of the ticks were recorded at 12, 24 and 72 hours after treatment. Among them, ethanol extract of ata at 2% concentration showed highest efficacy (100%) followed by aqueous extract of bishkatali (93.33%) at same concentrations and ethanol extract of ata (93.33%) at 1% concentration in spray on method. Among the various methods of application "spray on" method was found to be most effective followed by paste and impregnated filter paper. On the other hand, among the preparations ethanol extract was found to be more efficacious incase of ata plant only. From the study, it is revealed that ata and bishkatali have great acaricidal value against B. microplus.