LAHORE: Researchers at University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences have developed an eco-friendly fungal nano-technology aimed at controlling deadly livestock ticks, offering a safer and more sustainable alternative to chemical pesticides.
Ticks are considered among the most harmful external parasites affecting livestock in Pakistan, causing serious diseases and economic losses in the dairy and livestock sectors. Farmers largely depend on chemical sprays for tick control, but experts say these chemicals are expensive, environmentally hazardous and becoming less effective due to increasing resistance.
The research project, conducted at the Entomology Lab of the Department of Parasitology at UVAS Lahore, introduced nano-encapsulated Metarhizium anisopliae — a naturally occurring fungus known for killing ticks at different life stages.
According to the researchers, fungal spores were encapsulated in polymer-based micro-particles to protect them from environmental stress and improve their effectiveness. Advanced analytical techniques, including Scanning Electron Microscopy, were used to examine particle structure, release rate and stability.
The study tested the formulation on Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus ticks commonly found on cattle, buffaloes and small ruminants. Laboratory bioassays showed that the encapsulated fungal spores caused significantly higher tick mortality compared to non-encapsulated forms.
Researchers also found that the fungal formulation remained stable and effective after several months of storage under varying temperature and humidity conditions. Safety tests conducted on non-target fish species showed no harmful effects, highlighting the environmentally friendly nature of the technology.
The researchers said the innovation could provide a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to chemical acaricides and help improve livestock health and farm productivity in Pakistan.
The study was conducted by Dr. Yousaf Gul Kakar and Dr. Muhammad Oneeb.
