Evaluation of acaricidal activity of Leaves of Ficus exasperata on dog ticks: Rhipicephalus sanguineus

Abstract

The research investigated phytochemical constituents of leaves extract of Ficus exasperata (FE) and its acaricidal activity on dog ticks: Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Essential oils of FE were extracted using direct steam distillation (DSD) and tested for their relative toxicity as contact acaricides. In an in-vitro technique for evaluation of efficacy, percentage mortality of larvae of Rhipicephalus sanguineus is 100% at 0.15mg/ml of N-hexane extract and 100% at 0.24mg/ml of methanol extract of FE. Similarly, percentage mortality of the adult Rhipicephalus sanguineus is 100% at 0.15mg/ml of N-hexane extract and 98% at 0.18mg/ml of methanol extract. Lethal dose (LD50) of Ficus exasperata is 0.12. Chromatographic analysis of Fiscus exasperata revealed seven potential essential oil with insecticidal property namely Neophytadiene, Citronellyl propionate, Lavandulyl acetate, Octadecanoic acid methyl ester, Yadanzioside, Tridecanoic acid and Pentanoic acid, 4-methyl- (Methylvaleric acid).