CONTACT : CHARLES KWESI KOOMSON charleskoomson@yahoo.co.uk 152 Abstract The efficacy of the plant powder of Alchornea cordifolia was evaluated under laboratory conditions against the larvae of the leather beetle Dermestes maculatus which is a major fish pest that cause serious damage when left uncontrolled. The experime nt was in concentrations of 0g, 1.0g, 2.0g, 2.5g, 3.0g admixed with 15g of smoked fish pow der; while all the treatment containing 0g were without plant powder whic h served as control, all the treatment were in triplicates. Newly emerged (0 - 72 hours old) larvae of D. maculatus were introduce d. Evaluation of the potency of the plant pow der was based on larvae mortality and the adult emergence. The weight losse s in fish muscle in the treated and untreated sample s were compared a s index of fish damage during storage. The result showe d that higher plant pow der conce ntration were significantly (P< 0.05) effective in killing larvae stage of t he insect as well as the larvae at 1st and 2nd weeks after infe station (WAI). Adult emergence was significantly (P<0.05) inhibited in the treated fish and weight loss due to insect infestation was greatly suppressed by the higher dosage rate of the plant powder c ompared to c ontrol. The findings showe d that e fficienc y of A. cordifolia leaf pow der is dosage dependent and is capa ble of c ontrolling the larval stage of D. maculatus in smoked fish (Clarias gariepinus) during storage. It is therefore recommende d that plant could be used by poor resource fish farmers, processors and marketers in protecting smoke d-drie d fish against D. maculatus during processing, transportation, marketing and storag e. ISSN : 2580-2410 eISSN : 2580-2119 Susceptibility of Dermestes Maculatus Degeer (Coleoptera: Dermestidea) Larvae Infesting Smoked African Catfish (Clarias Gariepinus) to Alchornea Cordifolia (Schum. & Thonn.) Leaf Powder Koomson, C.K. 1*, Owusu-Fordjour, C. 1, Darku, A. 2 1 Department of Integrated Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, P.O. Box 25, Winneba, Central Region, Ghana 2 Department of Science Education, University of Education, Winneba, P.O. Box 25, Winneba, Central Region, Ghana Introduction One of the major and cheapest sources of animal protein is fish. This has been used steadily due to its availability and nutritional values; fish is also used to correct protein deficiency in human diets in the tropic area (Nta et al., 2019). Fish has high protein content, which serves the purpose of natural supplement for meat and cereals in the human diet OPEN ACCESS International Journal of Applied Biology Keyword Alchornea cordifolia; Dermestes maculatus; Clarias gariepinus; Adult emergence; Efficacy; Larvae mortality; Toxicity Article History Received July 18, 2022 Accepted December 14, 2022 International Journal of Applied Biology is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly c ited. International Journal of Applied Biology, 6(2), 2022 153 (Nta et al., 2019). The consumption of fish provides essential nutrients to a great number of people globally and thus its significant contri bution to nutrition cannot be over-emphasized, a decline in fish availability will have a detrimental effect on the nutritional status in places where fish contributes significantly to the protein intake of the people (Nta et al., 2019). Stored fish just as any other stored agricultural produc t is infested by several stored product pests (Babarinde et al., 2016). Notably among them are beetles of the genera, Dermestes and Necrobia throughout processing, transporta tion, marketing and storage (Adesina et al., 2014). D. maculatus infestation causes enormous losses. These include physical loss whereby the a mount of fish available for human consumption is reduced, economic loss whereby the physical loss despite the amount of fish available for sale and or the price commanded for insect damaged fish is below that for unda maged fish, and nutritional loss, which is a direct consequence of the physical and economic loss and causes the retail value of fish to increase beyond the purchasing power of the poor (Moses, 1992). Attempts at controlling this dreadful insect pest of Clarias gariepinus has been overwhelmi ngly relied upon the use of synthetic insecticides. These synthetic products, however, are not without thei r hazards to huma n health and the environment (Babarinde et al., 2008). Apart from the health and environmental hazards posed by synthetic insecticides, mis-use and over-use by applicators have led to serious problems, including development of insect resistant strains to insecticides, toxic residues on stored products, health hazards to handlers, food poisoning and environmental pollution (Ali, 2009). These problems have stimulated research into plants with insecticidal properties grown locally that are readily available, effective, affordable, less poisonous and less detrimental to the environment (Tierto, 1994). Most plants are rich sources of compounds that have insecticidal properties (Obeng - Ofori et al.; 1997). One of such plants is Alchornea cordifolia (Schum. & Thonn.) which is an important medicinal plant in African traditional medicine and much pha rmacological research has been carried out into its antibacterial, antifungal and antiprotozoal properties, as well as its anti-inflammatory activities, with significant positive results (Agbor, 2004). The leaves or leafy stems are also believed to be abortifacient, antispasmodic, blood purifier, diuretic, emetic (in large doses), emmenagogue, oxytocic, purgative, sedative and tonic (Agbor, 2004). The crushed fresh leaves or powdered dry leaves are applied externally as a cicatrizant to wounds, to relieve pain, e.g. backache and headache, to fractures to improve healing and to treat eye infections and numerous skin afflictions including venereal diseases, leprosy, sores, abscesses, yaws and filariasis (Agbor, 2004). Koomson and Oppong (2018), Koomson, et. al., (2018) as well as Koomson (2020) found out the leaves, bark and roots of the plant was effective in controlling the stored products insect pests through suppressing oviposition and progeny development, contact toxic ity and repellency activities. This present study is aimed at determining the larvicidal activity of the leaf powder in order to evaluate its insecticidal potential in suppressing infestation and damage by D. maculatus on stored smoke-dried fish. Materials and Methods The research was carried out in the Biology Education Department laboratory of the University of Education, Winneba, Central Region, Ghana. Temperature in the laboratory was 30±2°C and relative humidity was 70±5%. The study was carried out fr om May 2021 to August 2021. International Journal of Applied Biology, 6(2), 2022 154 Collection and preparation of plant materials Leaves of Alchornea cordifolia plant were collected from the Gomoa Otapirow area of the Central Region of Ghana early in the morning. They were rinsed in clean water to remove sand and other i mpurities, air dried a t room temperature in the laboratory f or 15 days, after which, ground into very fine powder using an electric blender. The powders were further sieved to pass through 1mm2 perforations. The powders were packed in plastic containers with tight lids to ensure that the active ingredients are not lost and stored in the laboratory prior to use. Insect culture and maintenance The initial source of D. maculatus culture used for this study was obtained from natural infested smoked catfish (C. gariepinus) collected from smoked fish market stall in the Mandela market, Agona Swedru, Ghana. It was maintained in a kilner jar covered with muslin cloth under laboratory conditions and kept at a temperature 30+ 2℃ under relative humidity 70 + 5%. All bioassay jars was disinfected in an oven at 80℃ for 2 hours and was allowed to cool at room temperature. New generations was prepared by removing newly emerged (0-72h old) larvae from a stock culture, and placed on fresh uninfected fish, while the parent adult was removed after 2-3weeks oviposition peri od. Smoked samples of the fish species (Clarias gariepinns) were obtained from smoked fish market stall at the Mandela ma rket at Agona Swedru in the Central Region of Ghana. The fish samples showed no visible presence of neither adult or larvae of D. maculatus infestation. The c ured fish species were sterilized thermally by heating at 10℃ for one hour in a hot air oven (Gallenkamp Oven) in the laboratory in order to kill any insect pests that may be present (Atijegbe, 2004), and allow to cool at room temperature in the laboratory. Effect A. cordifolia powder on larvae and adult emergence of D. maculatus The toxic effect of A. cordifolia on larvae D. maculatus was carried out using 250ml plastic containers containing 15g of smoked cat fish with concentration of 1.0g 2.0g, 2.5g and 3.0g A. cordifolia leaf powder. The smoked fish in control dish contain no plant powder. The containers were gently shaken for 2 min to ensure homogenous mixture (Adesina et al. 2012) of the smoked fish and treatment powder. Ten newly emerged (0-72h old) larvae of D. maculatus was introduced into each treated and control dishes and was covered. Each treatment was in triplicate. Larvae mortality was counted every 24 hours for 7 days. The insects were confirmed dead when there was no response to probing with blunt forceps at the abdomen (Adedire et al., 2011). Daily observation was made until adult emergence. The number reaching adult stages was recorded and percentage weight was also recorded. The percentage reduction in adult emergence of F1 progeny was calculated using the formula: Percentage adult emergence reducti on = 100 × (No. of adult insect emerged in control dish － No. of adult insect emerged in treated dish) / No. of adult insect emerged in control dish. The % loss in weight was determi ned and recorded using the method described by Odeyemi and Daramola (2000). % Weight loss = 100 × (initial weight of fish sample －final weight of fish sample) / initial weight of fish sample. International Journal of Applied Biology, 6(2), 2022 155 Experimental Design and Data Analysis The experiment was laid out in Complete Randomised Design (CRD) and each treatment was replicated three (3) times. Data were subjected to analysis of variance and where significant differences existed, treatment means were separated using Least Significant Difference (LSD) at 5% probability level. Data in percentage were a rcsine transformed, before analysis. Results Table 1 presents the mortality rate of D. maculatus larva over a period of 120h after infestation. The results showed that the plant powder exert significant (P<0.05) larva mortality with increase in application rate over the time of exposure. Fish treated with 2.5g and 3g A. cordifolia had the highest larval mortality, while fish protected with 1g and 2g had the lowest mean values of larval mortality. Table 2 shows the larval mortality week after infestation. There was significant difference (P<0.05) at the first and second weeks after infestation (WAI) with 3g treated having the highest larval mortality of 86.47% and 94.87% respectively while 1g treatment had the lowest of 25.63% and 48.36% for both the first and second WAI. Weight loss as a result of the activities of D. maculatus showed a trend that reflected the number of surviving larvae and adult that emerged from the respective treatment dishes. Dish treated with A. cordifolia powder had significantly (P<0.05) suppressed adult emergence and lower weight loss as can be found in table 3 and 4 respectively. Table 1. Percentage larval mortality of D. maculatus treated with different concentration of A. cordifolia powder Treatment Hours after infestation Conc./ 15g fish 24h 48h 72h 96h 120h 0g 0.0 0.0 12.21 13.12 17.94 1.0g 12.68 23.41 41.45 51.34 64.32 2.0g 14.87 25.34 46.32 58.35 68.35 2.5g 15.98 32.01 46.10 62.34 70.32 3.0g 29.45 39.48 56.32 74.98 84.02 LSD 5.21 10.21 14.23 14.98 13.21 The data above (Table 1) is summarized in the figure below: Figure 1. Percentage Larval Mortality of D. maculatus Treated with Different Concentration of A. cordifolia Powder 0 20 40 60 80 100 24h 48h 72h 96h 120h P e rc e n ta g e L a rv a l M o rt a li ty Hours after Infestation 0g 1.0g 2.0g 2.5g 3.0g International Journal of Applied Biology, 6(2), 2022 156 Table 2. Percentage larval mortality of D. maculatus treated with different concentration of A. cordifolia powder weeks after infestation Treatment Weeks after infestation Conc./ 15g fish 1st 2nd 0g 8.20 5.3 1.0g 25.63 48.36 2.0g 59.48 75.48 2.5g 78.69 83.94 3.0g 86.47 94.87 LSD 5.02 6.21 The data above (Table 2) is summarized in the figure below: Figure 2. Percentage Larval Mortality of D. maculatus Treated with Different Concentration of A. cordifolia Powder Weeks after Infestation Table 3. Percentage adult emergence of D. maculatus treated with different concentration of A. cordifolia powder Treatment Adult emergence Conc. / 15g fish 1 week after infestation 0g 3.20 1.0g 0.87 2.0g 0.71 2.5g 0.58 3.0g 0.31 LSD 0.02 The data above (Table 3) is summarized in the figure below: 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 0g 1.0g 2.0g 2.5g 3.0gP e rc e n ta g e L a rv a l M o rt a li ty Concentration / 15g Fish 1st 2nd International Journal of Applied Biology, 6(2), 2022 157 Figure 3. Percentage Adult Emergence of D. maculatus Treated with Different Concentration of A. cordifolia Powder Table 4. Percentage weight loss due to fish infestation on samples treated with different concentration of A. cordifolia powder Treatment Adult emergence Conc. / 15g fish 1 week after infestation 0g 13.42 1.0g 6.11 2.0g 5.23 2.5g 5.01 3.0g 4.06 LSD 1.05 The data above (Table 4) is summarized in the figure below: Figure 4. Percentage Weight Loss due to Fish Infestation on Samples Treated with Different Concentration of A. cordifolia Powder 0 0,5 1 1,5 2 2,5 3 3,5 0g 1.0g 2.0g 2.5g 3.0g A d u lt E m e rg e n ce Concentration / 15g Fish 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 0g 1.0g 2.0g 2.5g 3.0g A d u lt E m e rg e n ce Concentration / 15g Fish International Journal of Applied Biology, 6(2), 2022 158 Discussion The use of botanicals to control Dermestes species is not new especially in developing countries where these botanicals are cheaply available (Babarinde, 2016). The powdered plant material was very potent in controlling the various stages of D. maculatus in smoked, C. gariepinus. The plant powder possesses high potency in killing the larvae of D. maculatus in smoked C. gariepinus during storage. The result is in agreement with many other researchers on the use of botanicals against suppression of D. maculatus infestation on smoked-dried fish (Muf utau, 2012; Ahmed et al., 2013 and Adesina 2014). The study clearly indicated that the higher dosage level of the treatment was the most effective in the application rates compared to the untreated control. The emergence of F1 adult from all the treated dishes can also be attributed to the hairs found on the larvae which prevent di rect contact of the powder on the body surface of the larvae as compared to the adult with smooth cuticle (Kemabota et al., 2013). Furthermore, plants have phytochemicals which act as chemical defense against other organisms (such as insect) in the environment (Ogunwenmo et. al., 2007). It is theref ore possible that the strong pungent odour produced by the plant prevented D. maculatus from normal feeding, hence resulting in starvation and subsequent death (Nta et al., 2014) and impairing the development of the i mmature stage of the insect pests. Fasakin, 2003 reported similar scenario when he used the extract from Pipe r guineense, Monodora myristica, Aframomum melegueta, Tithona diversifolia and Nicotiana tobaccum as surface protectants against the different stages (adults stage to the eggs) of fish beetle ( Dermestes maculatus) (De geer). Similar case of weight loss in both the treated and untreated fish muscles (which are used as indexes for calculating the rate of fish damage during storage) was also observed in the present study, and the percentage weight loss in fish during storage was significantly reduced (p<0.05) in fishes treated with the plant powder than the control. The higher percentage of weight loss recorded in untreated fish suggests that the larval stage of the beetle is more destructive than the adult (Nwankwo et al., 2011). Ala m (2004) reported that if D. maculatus are left undisturbed, they can consume all the flesh and soft tissue of dried fish until only bone and some hard tissue remain. 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