INSECTICIDAL EFFECT OF BACILLUS THURINGIENSIS VAR KURSTAKI AGAINST HYALOMMA DROMEDARIION EXPERIMENTALLY INFESTED RABBITS

The insecticidal effect of Beaus thuringiens& var. Kurstalof against Hyalomma dromedani on experimentally infested rabbits was Investigated. Ten New Zealand white rabbits, 1.5-2 Kg weight for each, were used. They were divided into 2 groups. Group I was the infested-sprayed group and consisted of 8 rabbits. Group II was the infested non-sprayed group and consisted of 2 rabbits. The commercial Dipel 2x was sprayed at a concentration of 20 g/L for 2 successive days. There was significant difference (p value< 0.05) from the 1" day post- 1² spraying till the 6^th day post 2n^d spraying. Some tick individuals on sprayed rabbits were found deSd but still attached to the host by their proboscis and they were completely paralyzed, others were collected dead. Moreover, some female ticks on sprayed rabbits had reached the engorged stage as those of control group, but, others died before or after being partially fed. There was no significant difference in the time of engorgement, or in weights between female ticks in both groups. At the same time, the effect of Bacillus thulingiensis was also tested In wtro on different stages of H. dromedani. All unfed adult ticks were paralyzed 1 - 4 days post 1" spraying, sprayed egg batches were not affected and gave larvae, while all larvae died within 2 - 3 hours after spraying. Data were statistically analysed and discussed.