Occurrence of ectoparasitic arthropods associated with rodents in Hail region northern Saudi Arabia

Ectoparasitic arthropods are a diverse element of the Saudi fauna. Due to this, a survey of ectoparasites associated with rodents was conducted as a preliminary study in five districts of Hail region of northern Saudi Arabia for the first time. Ectoparasites extracted from 750 rodents were sampled and identified by recording their frequency of appearance. Results revealed that 1,287 ectoparasites infested 316 of the captured rodent hosts. These ectoparasites parasitized on four species of rodents including three species of rats Rattus rattus rattus, Rattus rattus frugivorus, and Rattus rattus alexandrinus and one species of mouse Acomys dimidiatus (Rodentia: Muridae). The ectoparasites belong to four different groups: ticks, fleas, lice, and mites. Ticks were the highest in the number, while fleas were the lowest among all the extracted ectoparasite groups. The collected ectoparasitic arthropods consisted of seven species. Ticks were of two species: Rhipicephalus turanicus and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (Acari: Ixodidae), fleas were of two species: Xenopsylla cheopis and Xenopsyllus conformis mycerini (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae), lice was a single species: Polyplax serrata (Anoplura: Hoplopleuridae), and mites were of two species: Laelaps nuttali and Laelaps echidninus (Mesostigmata: Laelapidae). The findings of the study showed that the intensity of infestation was varied between rodent host sexes, wherein females had the highest rate of parasitic infestation, and the parasitic index of appearance was very high for one group of parasites (i.e., ticks). The parasitic prevalence was 42.13 % on rodents, and mites were the most prevalent parasite species. Overall, this study was carried out to establish baseline data for ectoparasite-infested rodents in Hail region, Saudi Arabia, and may help for appropriate planning to control zoonotic diseases in this area.     

Toxicological and larvicidal activities of Alzanzalakhet,Melia azedarach against cucurbit fly,Dacus ciliatus at Hail Province in Saudi Arabia

Alzanzalakhet, Melia azedarach L. (Sapindales: Meliaceae) is a common medicinal plant which is found in Hail desert in Saudi Arabia and traditionally used for various purposes. In this study, toxin effectiveness of the ethanolic, acetonic, and aqueous extracts of M. azedarach leaves was tested to determine a larvicidal activity against the cucurbit fly, Dacus ciliatus (Loew) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Different treatments with M. azedarach extracts varied significantly in their impact on mortality of D. ciliatus larvae. Results showed that all tested extracts in the three solvents exerted a positive pattern for reducing larvae of D. ciliatus. However, the ethanolic M. azedarach extract was the most potent compared with other tested solvents. The highest mortality of the D. ciliatus larvae was shown to be 94%, 74%, and 68% when the concentration was 1?×?10⁵?ppm for ethanolic, acetonic, and aqueous extracts, respectively. In contrast, the concentration 1?×?10¹?ppm resulted in the lowest mortality of D. ciliatus larvae at 40%, 34%, and 12% for ethanolic, acetonic, and aqueous extracts, respectively. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the ethanolic extract of M. azedarach leaves may be used as a sustainable method for controlling D. ciliatus larvae.     

COVID-19 pandemic: impacts on bees,beekeeping, and potential role of bee products as antiviral agents and immune enhancers

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - COVID-19 pandemic has passed to the front all the contradictions of the beekeeping sector: the valuable role of bee products as immune enhancers and...