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The effects of permethrin on Ctenocephalides felis, the commonest flea pest of livestock in Tanzania

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2011

B. S. Kilonzo
Affiliation:
Department of Veterinary Microbiology & Parasitology, Sokoine University of Agriculture P. O. Box 3019, Chuo Kikuu, Morogoro, Tanzania
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Abstract

Ctenocephalides felis adults obtained from young goats belonging to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (SUA) were reared in captivity and the offsprings used for testing against permethrin. A total of 1260 fleas were exposed to 0.005% permethrin dust (0.5% a.i. diluted with fine sand) for periods varying from 30 min to 24 hr. Additionally, white rats infested with 2400 fleas were exposed to a similar mixture for 24 hr.

In the first set of tests, 100% mortality was obtained after a 2-hr exposure of the insects to the insecticide. Similarly, in the second set of tests, all the fleas were found dead at the end of 24-hr exposure.

It was generally concluded that permethrin is very effective against this flea species and that it could be used for controlling the ectoparasite in livestock, animal barns and residential houses in the area. It was finally recommended that similar tests with other flea species in the country, especially in plague endemic areas were desirable.

Résumé

D'adultes, Ctenocephalides felis, obtenues sur des jeunes chèvres appartanantes à la Faculté Vétérinaire (SUA), furent tenues en captivité. Leurs progénitures furent tastées sur la résistance au permethrin. Un total de 1260 puces fut exposé à un melange de 0.005% de permethrin (0.5% i.a. et de sable fin pendant) des périodes allant de 30 min à 24 hr. En plus, 2400 puces vivant sur des rats albinos, furent exposées au même mélange de permethrin pendant 24 hr. Dans la premier groupe de tests une mortalité de 100% fut enregistrée après deux heure d'exposition des insectes à l'insecticide. Dans la second groupe de tests, toutes les puces furent mortes après une perlode d'exposition de 24 hr.

En conclusion générale, on peut dire que la permethrin a une action très afficasse contre cette espèce de puce et peut être appliqué pour la lutte contre l'ectoparasite sur la bétail, dans les étables et dans les maisons envoisinantes. Il est à recommender de faire des assais comparables sur d'autres espèces de puces dans différents endroits du pays, et en particulier dans les régions la peste est endemique.

Type
Part I: Symposium on Integrated Pest Management and Environmental Conservation: Pest Management Strategies and Practices
Copyright
Copyright © ICIPE 1991

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References

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