Repellence of the tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus by the grass Melinis minutiflora

Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

Tropical Animal Health and Production

Name of Author

Esther N. Mwangi, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
S. Essuman, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
G. P. Kaaya, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
E. Nyandat, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
D. Munyinyi, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi
M. G. Kimondo, International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology Nairobi

Publication Date

12-1-1995

Abstract

In a study to develop anti-tick pastures, the climbing behaviour of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus on Melinis minutiflora (molasses grass) was investigated. Experiments were done with cut green stems of grass, grass dried in the shade, grass dried in sunshine, grass washed in solvent and grass growing in a study plot. In all cases a common pasture grass, Pennisetum clandestinum (Kikuyu grass), was used as control. All instars of the tick avoided climbing on the green M. minutiflora whereas most larvae, nymphs and adults climbed on the control green P. clandestinum grass. More ticks climbed on the stems dried in the sunshine than on air-dried grass. Acetone was found to be the best of 5 solvents used to extract the tick-repellent substance. Possibilities of using M. minutiflora as part of an integrated tick control package are discussed. © 1995 Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh.

PubMed ID

8966761

Recommended Citation

Mwangi, E., Essuman, S., Kaaya, G., Nyandat, E., Munyinyi, D., & Kimondo, M. (1995). Repellence of the tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus by the grass Melinis minutiflora. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 27 (4), 211-216. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02250692