AJ Life Sci. 2022, 5 (2)

A Review: An Insight into the Potential of Biological Control of Ticks in Domestic and Wild Animals

Muhammad Jamil1*, Noman Latif1, Jaweria Gul2, Muhammad Kashif3, Arsalan Khan4, Mubarik Ali5, Norina Jabeen6, Muhammad Shehzad Khan7, Imtiaz Khan1, Imran Qazi1, Namat Ullah8

1PARC Arid Zone Research Centre, Dera Ismail Khan-29050-Pakistan

2Shaheed Benazir Bhutto University, Department of Biotechnology, Dir Upper, KPK, Pakistan

3Department of Clinical Sciences, Sub Campus Jhang, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore-54000, Pakistan

4Veterinary Research and Disease Investigation Centre, Dera Ismail Khan-29050-Pakistan

5Animal science Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, Islamabad, 54000-Pakistan

6Rural Sociology Department, Institute of Social Sciences, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan

7Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Crop Protection Sciences, University of Agriculture Peshawar-25130-Pakistan

8Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore-54000, Pakistan



Abstract

Ticks are hematophagous arthropods that transmit pathogens to humans, animals and poultry birds, mostly in tropical and subtropical regions globally, causing considerable economic and health losses by serving infectious vectors. In endemic locations of the world, tick-borne diseases have become a public health issue. Ticks biting causes anemia in animals and also impair their hide quality. Therefore, the current review article focused on the biological control of ticks. Ticks, like any other creature, are susceptible to various infectious agents (Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia bigemina, B. gibsoni, Hepatozoon canis, H. americanum, Theileria annulate, T. taurotragi etc). Ticks can become infected with rickettsia, spirochetes, viruses, bacteria, and fungi. Some protozoans and worms infiltrate ticks and reproduce inside them, killing them. Fungus (Metarhizium anisopliae, Verticiliium lecanii, Beauveria bassiana), bacteria (Bacillus), nematodes (Steinernema glaseri, S. carpocapsae), and parasitoids (Ixodiphagus species.) have proved effective biological agents to control ticks. Insects are also a type of natural tick enemy. Ticks that are engorged with blood and while moulting are the most vulnerable to insect predation and eaten by spiders, ants, beetles, dragonflies, and wasps (Ixodiphagus). Ticks are also preyed upon by amphibians and reptiles. Birds such as yellow-billed oxpecker (Buphagus africanus), helmeted guineafowl and Galliformes are good predators of ticks. Biological agents affect only target pests (ticks), do not destroy beneficial natural enemies and are safer for the ecosystem and humans. By keeping in view, the significance of biological agents, we highly recommend them in integrated tick management program that could minimize the tick population.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.34091/AJLS.5.2.6

Received

October 26, 2022

Received Revised

December 19, 2022

Accepted

December 24, 2022

Available Online

December 25, 2022


Corresponding author email:

jamilmatrah@parc.gov.pk

How to Cite

Abasyn Journal of Life Sciences , ISSN (online): 2663-1040, Published by Abasyn University