Ethnobotanical Survey of Plant Species with Acaricidal Activity in Bauchi State, Nigeria

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted in Bauchi Local Government Area, Nigeria, from September to December 2023, to document indigenous knowledge on plants with acaricidal properties. Data were gathered through semi-structured questionnaires and open-ended interviews with herb vendors, herders, and community elders. Field visits occurred bi-monthly, and the collected data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2016, focusing on percentages and frequencies of respondents' socio- demographic information. The data from the ethnobotanical survey were analyzed using the Relative Frequency of Citation (RFC) and Fidelity Level (FL) measures. The findings recorded 20 plant species from 15 plant families used as acaricides. The Fabaceae exhibited the highest species diversity (17%), followed by Meliaceae (11%). All other families contributed 6% each. The herbal remedies were mainly prepared from the leaves (56.5%) followed by the seeds (13%), with roots and stem bark each contributing 8.7%. In addition, bark, latex, and unripe fruits each accounted for 4.3% of the sources. Preparation methods included spreading, spraying, smoking, and topical applications to immobilize or eliminate pests. Notably, the use of plants for pest control is widespread among herders and local communities in the study area, highlighting the need to safeguard indigenous knowledge and document plant species with prospect for sustainable drug development.