Abstract
In this exploratory study, the antifeedant activity of ethanolic extracts of nine plants native from central region of Argentina on Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) was evaluated, looking for low environmental impact management alternatives. Adults of A. diaperinus were exposed to food treated with the extracts to assess whether feeding behaviour and survival were altered. None of the extracts affected adult survival. However, the extracts of Gaillardia megapotamica, Vernonanthura nudiflora, Baccharis artemisioides, Lithraea molleoides, and Ambrosia artemisiifolia had a strong antifeedant effect (92-96%). The other extracts evaluated slightly affected (50-55%) the food consumption. The extracts of G. megapotamica and B. artemisioides were administered with the food to the fifth larval stage to assess whether they affect survival, feeding behaviour, and weight of immature forms. The B. artemisioides extract generated a marked deterrent effect of feeding on the larvae (76%) during the first week of experimentation, although the effect weakened over time. On the other hand, G. megapotamica produced a moderate deterrent effect (41-74%) throughout the experiment. The extracts also affected weight, survival, and number of larval exuviae in relation to the control
Highlights
Over the past two decades the poultry industry has experienced a rapid growth, with chicken meat and eggs providing high-quality protein, vitamins and oligoelements (Farrell, 2013)
The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of exposure of A. diaperinus to food treated with different extracts obtained from plants native from central region of Argentina on the feeding behaviour, development, and survival of this beetle
Plant extracts The extracts were provided by Fine Chemistry Laboratory of the Catholic University of Córdoba (UCC), which had been obtained from the aerial part of plants belong to families Asteraceae (Gaillardia megapotamica (Spreng.) Baker (UCCOR 127), Trichocline reptans
Summary
Over the past two decades the poultry industry has experienced a rapid growth, with chicken meat and eggs providing high-quality protein, vitamins and oligoelements (Farrell, 2013). The warm and humid environment in which the birds are reared favours the development of different organisms including the darkling beetle Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) (Cecco et al, 2005) This cosmopolitan beetle causes serious economic losses, affecting birds, breeding facilities and farm workers. Plants produce several secondary metabolites which play an important role in defence against pathogens and herbivores These compounds affect the behaviour of insects by acting as a deterrent or repellent, or alter development by affecting the digestion and assimilation of food, and some of them have a toxic effect (War et al, 2012). The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of exposure of A. diaperinus to food treated with different extracts obtained from plants native from central region of Argentina on the feeding behaviour, development, and survival of this beetle
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
