Bioefficacy of Eucalyptus citriodora essential oil in the control of Alphitobius diaperinus (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in chicken farms in Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Alphitobius diaperinus is the most dangerous species in livestock buildings. It can transmit fatal diseases to poultry resulting in heavy losses. This study aims to control A. diaperinus using the essential oil of Eucalyptus citriodora. For this purpose, a split-plot design with 4 factors and 4 replications was set up in 2 buildings of 72m2 (12m×6m). In each building, 2 rows of 4 blocks of 3 m2 (2m×1.5m) were installed. The blocks, labelled D0 to D3, correspond to the doses used. A non-destructive sampling of the litter was carried out. Four (4) samples were taken at 15-day intervals (1st to 45th day) following the rearing cycle. For each block considered, the litter was sampled. The size of the sampling squares was 25 × 40 cm or 0.1 m2. Three (3) treatments at 15-day intervals (1st, 15th and 30th day) were carried out. At the end of the rearing cycle, the vital organs and blood of the chickens in each block were collected for analysis. The results showed that E. citriodora reduced the population of A. diaperinus by 60 to 90%. Analyses of variance revealed a significant difference (p< 0.05) between the reduction rates of the different doses and the control. Biochemical, hematological and internal organ tests of the chickens revealed no abnormalities. The essential oil of E. citriodora could be used safely in poultry building to effectively control the population of A. diaperinus. To be effective, the user should have a good knowledge of the ethology and development cycle of Alphitobius diaperinus.