Comparative efficacy of four biopesticides against <i>Oryctes monoceros</i> Olivier (Coleoptera: Dynastidae), a pest of oil palm in Côte d’Ivoire

Thrips, Megalurothrips usitatus is an important pest on mungbean. Severe attack by thrips causes yield losses up to 64%. Control measure by combining the use of botanical and synthetic insecticides is expected to reduce the amount use of synthetic insecticides. The research was aimed to obtain the proper time and frequency applications of botanical and synthetic insecticides, most effectively control the thrips on mungbean. The research was conducted at Muneng research station during dry season of 2012. The treatment were arranged on randomized block design, three replications of 10 treatments. New mungbean varieties, Vima-1 was planted on plot of 20 m x 3 m, with 40 cm x 15 cm spacing, two plants per hill. Fertilization of 45 kg Urea + 45 kg SP36 + 50 kg KCl/ha were applied at planting. Observations were made on thrips populations, damages caused by thrips attack, grain yield and yield components. Results showed that the use of fipronil 2 ml/l at 10 days after planting (DAP) followed by application of ginger rhizome extract 20 g/l at 17; 24; 31 DAP and the use of fipronil 2 ml/l at 10 and 17 DAP followed by application of ginger rhizome extract 20 g/l at 24 and 31 DAP effective to control thrips, equivalent with the use of fipronil 2 ml / l at 10; 17; 24; 31 DAP . The use of ginger extract as botanical insecticide reduces the use of synthetic insecticide thus maintains the quality of environment by reducing the insecticide residue.

The persistent use of synthetic insecticides against the soil-dwelling insect pests in potato may initially give some control against these pests, but in the long term, it will pose a threat to the ecosystem causing the resurgence of other pest species. Moreover, indiscriminate use of insecticides and their residues in the soil and plant system are causing hazardous effects on the Soil Microbial Biomass Carbon (SMBC), soil physico-chemical properties, soil enzymatic activities, beneficial insect fauna, human and animal health as well as environment. Furthermore, considering the present pest management scenario, there is an urgent need to embrace organic pest management strategies instead of chemocentric approaches. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of some naturally available insecticidal materials against major soil insect pests of potato under laboratory conditions. During the study, locally and naturally available eco-friendly insecticidal materials (14 nos.) were collected and categorized into four groups (Physical poisons, Biopesticides & bio-enhancer, Botanicals and Minerals) based on their different properties. Individual screening of these 14 individual insecticidal materials was carried out under laboratory conditions against the test insects i.e. cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon), white grub (Lepidiota mansueta) and red ant (Dorylus orientalis). Based on the performance of 14 individual insecticidal materials, 11 insecticidal materials were selected and 3 materials (cow dung powder, lime powder and rock phosphate) were discarded. From 11 insecticidal materials, 15 mixtures (Mixture I-XV) were prepared by following the "Trial and Error" method. Considering the efficacy performance of these 15 insecticidal mixtures against the above-mentioned test insects, 5 superior insecticidal mixtures (Mixture-II, IV, VIII, XI and XIII) were selected. Highest mortality (100%) of A. ipsilon larvae was recorded in Mixture-II, Mixture-IV, Mixture-VIII, Mixture-XI and Mixture-XIII and found to be significantly superior over rest of the mixtures after 144 hrs of exposure (P=.05, CD=4.44). A similar trend of results was also registered against L. mansueta grubs. Likewise, significant mortality of D. orientalis was recorded in Mixture-II, Mixture-IV, Mixture-VIII, Mixture-XI and Mixture-XIII over the other mixtures (I, V, VI, VII, X, XIV & XV) after 48 hrs of exposure (P=.05, CD=17.42). This research relates to the development of organic insecticidal mixtures by using naturally available eco-friendly insecticidal materials with an aim to address the soil dwelling insect pests problems in potato grown organically. However, these organic insecticidal mixtures will act as ‘bioenhancers’ favouring the multiplication of beneficial soil microbes and other microarthropods besides improving the physico-chemical properties of soil and might be used to replace the commonly used synthetic insecticides. Exploration of these findings has enough scope for researchers to study the efficacy of these mixtures at field conditions against soil-dwelling insect pests with an aim to replace the commonly used synthetic insecticides. Farmers can reduce their reliance on synthetic pesticides and implement a more resilient and sustainable IPM strategy by combining these mixtures with biological, cultural and mechanical control techniques.

Widespread use of synthetic chemical insecticides causes growing concern regarding the risks to human health and negative impacts on the environment. At the same time, many insects have become resistant toward synthetic chemical insecticides. Baculoviruses bring many benefits and allow reduced use of synthetic insecticides when included in integrated pest management (IPM). They are specific to their target pest and thus do not have any negative effects on plants, mammals, and non-target insects including natural enemies and pollinators. In addition, their unique mode of action makes them suitable for resistance management. We provide examples of how baculoviruses can be applied in IPM strategies for open field and protected vegetable crops. In field trials, baculovirus products were applied in rotations and tankmixes with chlorantraniliprole, Bacillus thuringiensis products, and spinosad and provided promising control of target pests. The conducted trials in open field and protected vegetables show that baculoviruses can offer an effective solution to control pests in open field and protected vegetable production. Including baculoviruses gave results as good as other application strategies tested while conferring important benefits in reducing residues and improving the resistance management strategy.

The use of synthetic chemical insecticides is not allowed or is used restrictively because of the problem of residues and the health risks of consumers. With this in mind, plants are needed that can provide potential alternatives to the currently used insecticides, as they are a rich source of bioactive molecules. Available literature indicates that the plant could be a source of new insecticides. Preventing food loss during post-harvest storage is of the utmost economic importance. Integrated pest management is now a widely accepted pest management strategy, including post-harvest pest management using chemical insecticides with disinfectants. Therefore, there is great potential for insecticidal compounds derived from plants. This article focuses on the current status of botanical insecticides as grain protectors and how they work. The control of this insect is highly dependent on the use of synthetic insecticides and disinfectants. But its widespread use has created serious problems. The increasing resistance of stored product insects to conventional synthetic pesticides, along with growing concerns over environmental and human health impacts, has spurred interest in alternative pest management strategies. Botanicals derived from medicinal plants have emerged as promising candidates due to their diverse bioactive properties and eco-friendly nature. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge on the use of botanical extracts for controlling stored insects. It discusses the various modes of action, including repellency, toxicity, and growth inhibition, and highlights the most effective plant species and their phytochemical constituents.

Mosquitoes are blood-feeding insects and serve as the most important vectors for spreading human diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue fever, and filariasis. The continued use of synthetic insecticides has resulted in resistance in mosquitoes. Synthetic insecticides are toxic and affect the environment by contaminating soil, water, and air, and then natural products may be an alternative to synthetic insecticides because they are effective, biodegradable, eco-friendly, and safe to environment. Botanical origin may serve as suitable alternative biocontrol techniques in the future. The present study was carried out to establish the larvicidal potential of leaf extracts of Gmelina asiatica and synthesized silver nanoparticles using aqueous leaf extract against late third instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti, and Culex quinquefasciatus. Larvae were exposed to varying concentrations of plant extracts and synthesized AgNPs for 24 h. The results were recorded from UV-visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis support the biosynthesis and characterization of AgNPs. The maximum efficacy was observed in synthesized AgNPs against the larvae of An. stephensi (lethal dose (LC₅₀) = 22.44 μg/mL; LC₉₀ 40.65 μg/mL), Ae. aegypti (LC₅₀ = 25.77 μg/mL; LC₉₀ 45.98 μg/mL), and C. quinquefasciatus (LC₅₀ = 27.83 μg/mL; LC₉₀ 48.92 μg/mL), respectively. No mortality was observed in the control. This is the first report on mosquito larvicidal activity of plant-synthesized nanoparticles. Thus, the use of G. asiatica to synthesize silver nanoparticles is a rapid, eco-friendly, and a single-step approach and the AgNps formed can be potential mosquito larvicidal agents.

The Aedes albopictus mosquito is a vector of several deadly diseases of humans and domesticated animals. Usually, synthetic insecticides are used for mosquito control. The excessive use of synthetic insecticides is hazardous for humans and the environment. Therefore, there is a need to develop environment-friendly and novel mosquito larvicides. In the current study, we evaluated larvicidal and bite protection properties of Seriphidium brevifolium essential oil (SBEO) and its active constituents against this mosquito. SBEO and its active constituents, α, β-thujone, and limonene, were toxic to A. albopictus, with LC50 values of 21.43, 45.99, 47.38, and 49.46 μg/mL. The cream formulation of EO at 5 % (w/v) provided complete protection against mosquito bites until 70 min after application. Among the EO constituents tested, α and β-thujone showed considerable protections against mosquito bites but lower as compared with the whole oil. Furthermore, 1:1 combinations of active constituent α-thujone and β-thujone and 1:1:1 combinations of α-thujone, β-thujone, and limonene displayed a synergistic effect against the larvae. Particularly, the EO and its active constituents were safer to Poecilia reticulata a mosquito predator, with LC50 ranging from 3934.33 to 14,432.11 μg/mL. Our current study indicated that SBEO and some of its constituents can be used for the control of A. albopictus mosquito, as a novel alternative to hazardous synthetic insecticides and to overcome the problem of increasing insecticides resistance.

Culex spp. mosquitoes are the main vectors of filariasis. According to the East Java Provincial Health Office on 2018, the total number of filariasis (elephantiasis) cases in East Java Province was 134 cases distributed across 38 districts/cities. So far, the control of Culex mosquitoes has been carried out using synthetic insecticides. The use of synthetic insecticides is considered effective, practical, potent, and economically advantageous. However, continuous and repeated use of synthetic insecticides can lead to environmental pollution, the death of various types of living creatures, and resistance. Synthetic insecticides are hazardous to human and domestic animal health, as well as having an impact on other non-target organisms. An alternative that can be pursued is the use of natural insecticides derived from plants. Jackfruit seeds contain secondary metabolites such as tannins, flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, and saponins. Meanwhile, cocoa fruit husks contain tannins, saponins, alkaloids, and flavonoids. The utilization of compounds present in the extracts of jackfruit seeds (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) and cocoa fruit husks can be used to control the population of Culex spp. mosquitoes, the main vectors of filariasis. The methods employed in this research include extraction, preparation of serial concentrations, colonization of test larvae, preliminary testing, and final testing. The research results reveal the toxicity or LC50 value of jackfruit seed extract (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) towards Culex spp. mosquito larvae are 430.303 ppm, while the toxicity (LC50) value of cocoa fruit husk extract (Theobroma cacao L.) is 306.742 ppm. The conclusion drawn from this research is that the cocoa fruit husk extract (Theobroma cacao L.) is more toxic compared to the jackfruit seed extract (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam.) towards Culex spp. mosquito larvae.

Fruit flies ( Bactrocera spp) are major pests that attack several horticultural commodities. Synthetic insecticides are often used to control fruit flies. However, in the organic farming system, the use of synthetic insecticides is forbidden. Therefore, natural insecticides are needed. This study aimed to determine the most effective and efficient concentration of Melaleuca essential oil in sticky trap formula as a natural insecticide to control fruit flies in organic farming system. The effectiveness of the formula was designed in randomized blocks with five treatments and five replications. The base glue was made using natural ingredients consisting of gum rosin (60%), palm oil (30%), and latex (10%). The effect of several sticky trap formulas was investigated for 1, 2, and 3 hours and continued daily until the formula was no longer able to trap fruit flies with five different concentrations of Melaleuca essential oil (10%; 7.5%; 5%; 2.5% and 0% (only glue)). The result showed that the use of natural ingredients, including gum rosin, palm oil, latex, and Melaleuca essential oil is quite effective in controlling fruit fly pests. Melaleuca essential oil extracted from Melaleuca bracteata leaves contains 60.28% Methyl eugenol (C 11 H 14 O 2 ) effectively act as an attractant/lure. The most efficient sticky trap formula is 5 ml of Melaleuca essential oil in 100 ml of base glue (around 5%) which can trap 44 fruit flies per trap on the fourth day of use. This study is expected to provide information for local organic farmers in controlling fruit fly pests.

Chemical control is the primary strategy for managing Euschistus heros in soybean production. However, excessive use of synthetic insecticides raises concerns about resistance development and impacts on non-target organisms, such as natural enemies and pollinators. This study evaluated essential oils and biorational molecules as sustainable alternatives. The essential oils of Minthostachys verticillata (peperina) and Pelargonium graveolens (rose geranium) were tested alongside the synthetic butenolide K16 for their toxicity against third instar nymphs of E. heros and selectivity toward Telenomus podisi and Apis mellifera. In order to determine their insecticidal potential, lethal concentrations (LC) were estimated for each treatment. For P. graveolens essential oil, the LC50 was 1,784 µL/L (?2= 4.1627, P = 0.2444), and the LC80 reached 5,368 µL/L. For M. verticillata essential oil, the LC50 was 2,483 µL/L (?2= 1.9762, P = 0.3723), and the LC80 was 5,365 µL/L. In addition, to parasitoid T. podisi, P. graveolens EO caused 0.83% mortality at LC10, 32.36% at LC50, and 83.86% at LC80. M. verticillata EO, resulted in 0.83%, 21.4%, and 75.18% mortality at the same concentrations, respectively selectivity only up to LC50. For the pollinator A. mellifera, LC80 mortality in the first five hours was 60.24% for P. graveolens and 31.39% for M. verticillata, with no mortality in the control group. The synthetic butenolide K16 showed strong insecticidal activity in a dose-dependent manner. The LC20 was 181.47 µg/L, LC50 was 423.48 µg/L, and LC20 reached 988.23 µg/L. K16 demonstrated selective toxicity, with Telenomus podisi showing no significant mortality at LC20 (P = 0.0014) but reaching 100% mortality at LC80 (P = 1), indicating loss of selectivity at higher concentrations. In Apis mellifera, mortality increased from 6.67% at LC20 to 28.33% at LC80, highlighting potential risks to pollinators. These results suggest that essential oils and butenolide-based molecules are potential alternatives to conventional insecticides. However, optimizing their application is crucial to minimize risks to beneficial organisms. Future research should focus on improving formulations, reducing environmental persistence, and evaluating field-scale efficacy to enhance sustainable pest management. Keywords: sustainable pest control; non-target organisms; selective toxicity; soybean insect management.

Natural enemy is an important factor in management of cacao pests. One way to increase its diversity and abundance is through agroecosystem management techniques that support. The study was conducted for one year from February 2014 to February 2015 in Banjarsari Plantation and a cocoa farm of Kaliwining Experimental Station, Jember, which applied different cropping patterns and use of insecticides. The purpose of this research was to study the effect of cropping pattern and use of insecticide on diversity and abundance of predators, parasitoids, abundance and intensity of Helopeltis antonii attack. Observation of pests and natural enemies was done visually, using sweep net, yellow pan traps, malaise trap and pifall trap. Intensity of the attack used Pedigo & Buntin equations. Diversity index used Shannon Diversity Index (H’) and Simpson’s dominance index (C). Differences in predator abundance, parasitoid, air temperature, relative humidity, light intensity and rainfall used Wilcoxon test. Results of this study showed that monoculture and intensive use of synthetic insecticides caused lower diversity and abundance of predators and parasitoids, while the abundance and intensity of H. antonii attacks were higher compared with polyculture without insecticide. Banjarsari cocoa plantation that applied monoculture and intensive use of synthetic insecticides, had lower diversity and abundance predators and parasitoids compared with cocoa plantation in Kaliwining that applied polyculture planting without using insecticide. Dominant predators in Banjarsari and in Kaliwining cocoa plantations were Dolichoderus thoracicus and Araneus diadematus, while dominant parasitoid in Banjarsari and in Kaliwining cocoa plantations was Araneus diadematus.

Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith is an invasive insect that has become a pest on corn plants in Indonesia. S. frugiperda attacks maize plants from the vegetative to generative phases. Leaves of corn plants attacked by S. frugiperda larvae. with plant populations affected by 55-100% causing yield losses of 15-73%. The usual control is the use of synthetic insecticides, but the use of synthetic insecticides continuously or unwisely will have a negative impact on humans and the environment, therefore a safe and environmentally friendly alternative control using vegetable insecticides is jengkol plants (Pithecellobium lobate Benth). This study aims to obtain an effective concentration of jengkol bark extract to control armyworm pests Spodoptera frugiperda J.E. Smith in the laboratory. The study was conducted experimentally using a complete randomized design (RAL) consisting of five treatments with four repeats so that 20 experimental units were obtained. The concentration of jengkol bark extract used is 0 g.l-1 water, 25 g.l-1 water, 50 g.l-1 water, 75 g.l-1 water, and 100. g.l-1 water. The parameters observed were an initial time of death (hours), lethal time 50 (hours), lethal concentration (LC50 and LC95) (%), total mortality (%), temperature, and humidity. Jengkol bark extracts with a concentration of 100 g.l-1 water is an effective concentration in controlling corn plant pests (Spodoptera frugiperda J. E. Smith) in the laboratory because this concentration is able to cause total mortality of 90% with an initial time of death of 17.25 hours after application and lethal time of 50 at 60.75 hours after application.

Development of a ‘green’ nanoformulation of neem oil-based nanoemulsion for controlling mosquitoes in the sustainable ecosystem

BackgroundThe excessive use of synthetic insecticides is responsible for many cases of resistance in insects. Therefore, the use of natural molecules of ecological interest with insecticidal properties is an alternative approach to the use of synthetic insecticides. The aim of this study is to investigating the larvicidal and adulticidal activity and the chemical composition of the essential oil of Aeollanthus pubescens on the major malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae.MethodsThree reference strains of Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (Kisumu, Kiskdr and Acerkis) were used in this study. The leaves of A. pubescens were collected in southern Benin. The standard World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines for larvicide evaluation were used, and the chemical composition of the essential oil was analysed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Adult mosquitoes of each strain were exposed to pieces of net coated with the essential oil for 3 min using the WHO cone bioassay method. Probit regression analysis was used to determine the concentrations that would kill 50 and 95% of each test population (LC50, LC95) and the knockdown time for 50 and 95% of each test population (KDT50, and KDT95). The difference between the mortality–dose regressions for the different strains was analysed using the likelihood ratio test (LRT). The log-rank test was performed to evaluate the difference in survival between the strains.ResultsA total of 14 components were identified, accounting for 98.3% of total oil content. The major components were carvacrol (51.1%), thymyle acetate (14.0%) and ɣ-terpinene (10.6%). The essential oil showed larvicidal properties on the Kisumu, Acerkis and Kiskdr strains, with LC50 of 29.6, 22.9 and 28.4 ppm, respectively. With pieces of netting treated at 165 µg/cm2, the KDT50 of both Acerkis (1.71 s; Z = 3.34, P < 0.001) and Kiskdr (2.67 s; Z = 3.49, P < 0.001) individuals were significantly lower than that of Kisumu (3.8 s). The lifespan of the three mosquito strains decreased to 1 day for Kisumu (χ2 = 99, df = 1, P < 0.001), 2 days for Acerkis (χ2 = 117, df = 1, P < 0.001) and 3 days for Kiskdr (χ2 = 96.9, df = 1, P < 0.001).ConclusionOur findings show that A. pubescens essential oil has larvicide and adulticide properties against the malaria vector An. gambiae sensu stricto, suggesting that this essential oil may be a potential candidate for the control of the resistant malaria-transmitting vectors.Graphical

Diseases transmitted by vectors have been plaguing man since time immemorial causing millions of deaths annually. The highest occurrence reportedly occurs in tropical and subtropical areas where malaria, the commonest vector-borne disease, is highest. The management of vector-borne diseases has been basically by controlling their vectors using synthetic insecticides: the pyrethroids, organophosphates, organochlorines: carbamates. Reports have shown that these insecticides pollute the environment, result in bio-magnification and affect non-target organisms mostly man thereby raising health concern. Also, there is development of insecticide resistance in the disease vectors, which may hamper the effective use of the insecticides. These negative effects associated with the use of synthetic insecticides emphasize the need for alternative method of control. The control of disease vectors with the use of herbal-based products that have insecticidal properties is promising as it is safe to non-target organisms, eco-friendly, bio-degradable, less expensive and the development of resistance in the vectors is more or less absent. The insecticidal activity of plant herbs is attributed to the presence of complex mixture of bio-active compounds, which act as anti-feedants, oviposition deterrents, repellents, attractants, etc. Using relevant literatures, this paper discussed disease vectors, method of transmission of vector-borne diseases, the need for alternative method of disease vector control and the most common plants employed in the control of disease vectors including their families, products, bio-active compounds, their activity and mode of action. Use of plant herbs and their products can therefore, serve as alternative method for vector control programme.

The fruit fly (Bactrocera spp.) is a serious threat of developing chili and watermelons in Indonesia. Chili growers rely mainly on synthetic insecticide use to control the pest. Excessive use of the insecticides could cause resistance in the pest, environmental issues, and health issues to the consumers. Thus, alternative control methods should be developed, such as a polyculture cropping system. The study was conducted in Rompegading Village, Cenrana District, Maros Regency, from August to October 2018. The purpose of the study was to evaluate a polycultural cropping system, using 2 plant species: chili plant and watermelon as the main and secondary crops. Five schemes of cropping model were tested in this study, namely: (a) chili without mulch, (b) chili with plastic mulch, (c) chili and watermelon, (d) watermelon only, and (e) chili with farmers’ cultivation practice. The percentage of fruit fly attack on the chili and watermelon fruit were calculated. The results showed that the chili with plastic mulch treatment had 90.1%, pepper and watermelon treatment had 93.03%, and farmers’ practices treatment had 83.3% of the fruits damaged by the fruit fly. While the percentage of watermelon damaged by fruit flies was the highest in the treatment of chili and watermelon (50.00%).