In vitro acaricidal activity of Melia azedarach ripe fruit extract against Hyalomma excavatum (Acari: Ixodidae)

The current study aimed to evaluate the effect of dichloromethane extract of Melia azedarach ripe fruit on larvae and adult females of Hyalomma excavatum at concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, and 4%, using the larval immersion test (LIT) and adult immersion test (AIT). The results showed that in LIT, the percentage mortality of larvae was significantly higher at concentrations 1, 2, and 4% than that in the control group after 24 h. While the mortality rates varied from 8.66% to 72.66% after 24 h post-treatment, complete mortality of the examined larvae was achieved at a concentration of 4% after 48 h post-exposure whereas, it was13.33% in the negative control group. In AIT, the percentage inhibition of oviposition in the treatment groups was significantly greater than that in the control group (p < 0.01). The maximum inhibition of oviposition was 17.72%, which was achieved at a concentration of 4% and it was 0% in the control group. The difference between reproductive index in treatment and control groups was not statistically significant (p > 0.01). This study showed that the ripe fruit extract of M. azedarach was toxic to H. excavatum under laboratory conditions.