Abstract
The development of natural alternatives to control Bemisia tabaci Genn. (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), such as the use of plant derivatives, is a preponderant need in horticultural production systems. Plant extracts and essential oils of several species of the genus Eugenia (Myrtaceae) have shown insecticidal activity. In southern Mexico, leaf extracts from Eugenia winzerlingii showed nematicidal effect but its insecticidal properties have not been explored. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the insecticidal effect of aqueous and organic extracts from E. winzerlingii leaves on B. tabaci egg, nymph and adult stages, and else to explore its nursery propagation. Then, extracts of this species were obtained by maceration with different polarity solvents. Bioassays were carried out on Capsicum chinense leaves. Mortality assays showed that aqueous and total crude ethanol (TCE) extracts necrosed the eggs (LC50=4.68 mg/mL and 0.21% w/v) whereas hexane, ethyl acetate (ETA), residual ethanol and TCE extracts affected the nymphs (LC50=0.25 - 4.85 mg/mL). In adults, oviposition inhibition by free choice assay indicated that TCE and ETA extracts had major activity (EC50=14.62 and 27.9 µg/cm2, respectively). On other hand, the sexual and vegetative propagation of E. winzerlingii showed that this species can be easily cultivated by seeds. In conclusion, extracts of E. winzerlingii leaves are highly effective in controlling B. tabaci. TCE extract, in particular, was toxic to three stages of B. tabaci. This plant could be a potential alternative to develop a novel botanical insecticide to manage this destructive pest.
Highlights
The sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a highly destructive pest attacking a wide range of crops, including horticultural and ornamental species grown in greenhouse and field worldwide
The objectives of the present study were to evaluate, under laboratory conditions, the insecticidal effects of aqueous and organic extracts of E. winzerlingii leaves against eggs and nymphs of B. tabaci, as well as the oviposition inhibition effect on adults
The aqueous and total crude ethanol (TCE) extracts resulted in the highest mortality of eggs (> 89%), indicating they have strong ovicidal activity, where “strong” is defined as oviposition inhibition (OI) > 70% [21]
Summary
The sweet potato whitefly (Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a highly destructive pest attacking a wide range of crops, including horticultural and ornamental species grown in greenhouse and field worldwide. Has caused high economic losses in solanaceous crops like tomato, pepper, potato and sweet potato. These losses are associated with the direct effects of this insect through feeding, and with its ability to transmit a wide variety of Geminivirus species [1,2]. A need for the development of alternatives to chemical pesticides for the management of this plant pest. These alternatives include the application of insect growth regulators, entomopathogenic fungi, and the exploration of plant extracts, which are well known strategies to manage pest in various
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