Abstract
Successive applications of insecticides to control Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) have resulted in the emergence of resistant populations of this insect. A novel control measure for this target insect could be the use of botanical insecticides derived from plant tissues. Hence, we experimentally tested aqueous extracts of Alibertia edulis (Rich.), Alibertia intermedia (Mart.), and Alibertia sessilis (Vell.) K. Schum. found in the Brazilian savannah in order to investigate their potential to disrupt the life cycle of P. xylostella. Aqueous extracts of the leaves of A. intermedia and A. sessilis negatively affected the development of P. xylostella in all stages of the life cycle, prolonging the larval stage and causing mortality in the larval or pupal stages. Treatments with A. intermedia and A. sessilis extracts caused the lowest fecundity and the number of hatched larvae. The harmful effects of these aqueous extracts on the life cycle of P. xylostella may be attributable to the flavonoids and other phenolic compounds present in A. intermedia and A. sessilis. These aqueous botanical extracts are low in toxicity when compared to non-aqueous pesticides, and may emerge as an effective approach for control of populations of P. xylostella.
Highlights
Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), popularly known as the diamondback moth (DBM), is one of the causative agents of brassica damage [1]
Given the few studies and potential of the members of the Rubiaceae family, the present study investigated the effect of aqueous extracts of Alibertia edulis, Alibertia intermedia, and Alibertia sessilis on the biological cycle of P. xylostella
The plant species were identified by a specialist in the laboratory of Applied Botany, and exsiccated samples were deposited at the Herbarium of the Federal University of Grande Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, with the following registration numbers: Alibertia edulis: 5409; Alibertia intermedia: 5408; and Alibertia sessilis: 5410
Summary
Plutella xylostella (Linnaeus, 1758) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae), popularly known as the diamondback moth (DBM), is one of the causative agents of brassica damage [1]. The use of botanical insecticides represents an interesting alternative to control insects These insecticides can be prepared from locally available plants [8], have an advantageous cost/benefit ratio [12], and have low toxicity [10,13,14]. Studies conducted by Amoabeng et al [12], which assessed the cost/benefit ratio of using plants to control insects, have revealed that botanical insecticides might differ in the level of pest control and beneficial cost when compared with conventional insecticides. These biopesticides are produced from available naturally-growing plants. Given the few studies and potential of the members of the Rubiaceae family, the present study investigated the effect of aqueous extracts of Alibertia edulis, Alibertia intermedia, and Alibertia sessilis on the biological cycle of P. xylostella
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