Acaricidal activity of kupetaba, a ground mixture of natural products, against Rhipicephalus appendiculatus

Eight substances were screened for the purpose of selecting a natural product as an acaricide for use within an integrated tick management system. One substance proved to be effective as an acaricide against all stages of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and was named 'kupetaba'. It is a ground mixture of dried tobacco leaves (family Solanaceae) and a mineral called 'Magadi soda' which is mined around Lake Magadi in the Rift Valley province of Kenya. Investigation showed that kupetaba is commonly sold in local markets in East, West and Central Africa, where it is used for many purposes. The substance prevented the completion of all feeding phases of the tick, suppressed the oviposition capacity of the engorged ticks and drastically reduced the hatchability of the eggs. Larvae and nymphs were killed within 24 h of the application of the substance on calves' ears, while large numbers of adult ticks were also killed within 2-3 days of application during in vitro experiments. The suitability of the natural product as a local acaricide which resource-poor farmers in Africa can use to replace commercial acaricides within an integrated tick management system is discussed.