Effect of sweet orange peel powder on <i>Dermestes maculatus</i> in smoked-dried African catfish <i>Clarias gariepinus</i> (Burchell, 1822)

Abstract

Application of synthetic insecticides results into toxicity. However, use of organic wastes will proffer solution to insect’s infestation in stored fish. This study therefore, aimed at effect of sweet orange peel powder against Dermestes maculatus on smoked-dried Clarias gariepinus. Fresh Clarias gariepinus was purchased from Baga road, in Maiduguri, Nigeria and orange peels was collected free from sellers and dried under shade. The efficacy was assessed using two treatments. Treatment A had 15g while B had 20g of smoked fish, in a completely randomized design, in triplicate. Orange peel powder at different concentration levels of 1g, 2g, 3g, 4g and 0g as control for A while B was 5g, 6g, 7g and 8g. The results showed that, 4g and 8g sweet orange peel powder had the highest larval mortality of 30.03% and 20.17%, while 1g and 5g had the least values of 0.00%, respectively. Percentage adult emergence reduction was significantly different in all the treatments, highest value was in 4g and 8g with 83.17% and 67.00%, respectively. Weight loss was highest in 0g, with value of 23.97% and lowest in 8g with 0.67%. Conclusively, the sweet orange peel powder can be used in protecting smoked-dried fish against D. maculatus.