Abstract.
Massive economic losses imposed by
Dermanyssus gallinae
De Geer, 1778 and limitation in using
chemical compounds
against them, indicates that searching for new alternative miticide compounds is an
important necessity. The aim of this study was to investigate acaricidal effects of thyme essential oil and tobacco
extract on
D. gallinae
in comparison to Carbaryl 85%WP
in laboratory conditions.
For this purpose a filter paper
contact test was used and 30 live adult female mites were exposed to different concentrations of each examined
compound for 2, 4, 6 and 24h. The mortality rate of mites at each concentration and tim
e was recorded and each
treatment was performed in triplicates. Three examined compounds showed acaricidal activities and effects of
exposure time and concentration on mortality rate were significant (P<0.05). The highest mortality was achieved
at24h and
tobacco extract showed more acaricidal activity than thyme essential oil. The results of this study
suggest that tobacco has a promising acaricidal activity and is a potent green pesticide. More research is needed
to investigate its side
-
effects and safety
concerns for mammalian and bird hosts.
Keywords:
Dermanyssus gallinae;
Acaricidal activity; Carbaryl; Thyme essential oil; Tobacco extract
.
Received
07
/0
8
/201
5
. Accepted
1
4
/0
9
/201
5
.