Comparative efficacy of some plant extracts on Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus infestation on mithun (Bos frontalis) in the north-east

Tick infestation is a common problem encountered in mithun (Bos frontalis), resulting in reduced productivity besides transmitting infections to the host. Present study on the tick infestation on mithun was undertaken at Jharnapani and Porba mithun farms of the National Research Centre on Mithun (semi-intensive) as well as free ranging condition of Nagaland and Mizoram. Present study showed the ixodid tick of the genus Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus was the most prominent tick infesting mithun in this region. A pilot study was undertaken with crude aqueous extracts of neem and tobacco to evaluate the effect of these plant extracts on the survival of the above tick species. Two synthetic acaricides viz., ivermectin and cypermethrin were also used to compare the efficacy of these acaricides against R. (B). microplus. Crude aqueous extract of the tobacco was found highly efficacious against the tick infestations at a low concentration whereas, neem was found effective at much higher concentration. Ivermectin (1m/50 kg body weight S/C) was the most effective synthetic acaricide against R. (B). microplus in this study.