Indian Journal of Small Ruminants (The)

In vitro acaricidal activity of biopesticides prepared from Melia azedarach and Eupatorium adenophorum was evaluated against adult engorged females of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus of goats at concentrations of 5, 10 and 20% using adult immersion test and larval packet test. A dose-dependent larval mortality response (82, 42 to 90, 46%) was recorded in all the concentrations of M. azedarach. Significant (P<0.05) inhibition of oviposition (IO) in adult females at concentration of 20% suggested negative effect of M. azedarach on the reproductive physiology of ticks. E. adenophorum significantly (P<0.05) affected the oviposition and mortality rates of the tick larvae in a dose-dependent manner with highest mortality at 20% concentration. The results indicated potential use of biopesticides formulated from M. azedarach and E. adenophorum in developing sustainable strategy for integrated tick management and a step towards organic chevon production.