Evaluation of the ovicidal efficacy of some salts against hide beetle, Dermestes maculatus De Geer, fed on smoked fish

Abstract

Background: The ovicidal efficacy of some selected salts against the hide beetle Dermestes maculatus fed on dried fish was studied at the insectary of the Department of Biological Sciences, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto. Methods: Beetles D. maculatus was reared under ambient laboratory conditions. The milled salts at 2.5, 5.00 and 7.50g were used against 25g of dried fish. Five pairs of newly emerged adults of D. maculatus were introduced into the different Petri dishes containing dried fish treated with each of the salt types. The Petri dishes were arranged in a completely randomized design and left undisturbed in the insectaries for seven months. Results: Data obtained showed that the four different salts used at varying doses were both significantly (p<0.05) effective in the development of various stages of D. maculatus eggs. The lowest number of eggs deposited. 4.33, was observed on sodium chloride treated fish at its highest dose of (7.5g/25 g) of food, followed by Balma salt (21.00) and 14.07 at 2.5 and 5.0g/25 g of fish. All these salts, Sodium chloride, Balma, Gallo and Hoga were observed to be significantly effective (p<0.05) as compared to control. It was observed that the effects of these salts were dose-dependent. Conclusions: The four different types of salts at various concentrations suppress the viability of eggs. The concentrations of the salts played a vital role in controlling the fish beetles, the higher salts concentration provide adequate protection. These salts are therefore recommended to be used against hide beetle infestation of dried smoked fishes