author(s)
Grace P Rugalema and Ladslaus L Mnyone

abstract
Malpractices associated with use of agro-veterinary pesticides are increasingly associated with resistance development in arthropod vectors. We used a questionnaire and direct observations to identify malpractices in the use of pesticides in plague endemic foci, northern Tanzania, which could predispose plague-flea vectors to resistance development. Malpractices in the use of pesticides were common in both districts. More than 80% of the respondents were applying agro-pesticides over 3-times per cropping season, did not adhere to manufacturers’ recommendations and had limited/no knowledge on safety procedures and adverse effects of the pesticides. Up to 49% of the respondents were applying pesticides over twice the recommended doses. The 3 out of 14 most commonly used agro-pesticides in Lushoto were master kinga72WP (mancozeb+cymoxanil), suracron720EC (profenos) and Sumo 5EC (lambda-cyhalothrin). The 3 out of 17 most commonly used agro-pesticides in Mbulu were Dursban50W (Chlorpyrifos), Duduban 450EC (Cypermethrin+chloropyrifos) and Dursban+farmerzeb. Cybadip (Cypermethrin) and paranex (alphacypermethrin) were the most commonly used veterinary pesticides. In conclusion, these results suggest high risk of contamination of environments or surfaces and exposure of flea vectors with agro-pesticides. Thus, warrant studies to show a causal link between misuse of agro-veterinary pesticides and development of resistance in fleas in endemic areas across Tanzania.