Insecticidal Potential of Some Selected Phytoextracts against Mealybug Drosicha mangiferae (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) Infesting Citrus Plants in Sargodha
Insecticidal Potential of Some Selected Phytoextracts against Mealybug Drosicha mangiferae (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) Infesting Citrus Plants in Sargodha
Muhammad Rizwan, Abu Bakar Muhammad Raza*, Muhammad Zeeshan Majeed and Muhammad Arshad
ABSTRACT
Mealybug Drosicha mangiferae (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is one of the most important polyphagous insect pests of different fruit crops including citrus. A potential strategy to be fitted in integrated management of mealybug would be the use of phytoextracts having insecticidal activity. The main objective of this study was to find out the toxic effect of various plant extracts against D. mangiferae. Three concentrations (i.e. 6.25, 12.5 and 25.0%) of leaf extracts of neem, Azadirachta indica A. Juss (Meliaceae), eucalyptus Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnh. (Myrtaceae), datura Datura stramonium L. (Solanaceae), batho Chenopodium album L. (Amaranthaceae) and Indian lemongrass Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf (Poaceae) were tested against 3rd instar nymphs of mealybug. Results showed that mean mortality was higher (76.67%) after the application of A. indica extract, followed by E. camaldulensis (66.67%) at 72 h post-exposure. The least effective botanicals were C. citratus and C. album showing 26.67 and 20.0% mean mortality of mealybug, respectively. The mortality rate was increased by increasing the concentration of botanicals up to 25.0%. Furthermore, probit values revealed the highest toxicity of E. camaldulensis (12.14%) and A. indica (16.96%) after 72 h of post-exposure. Similarly, the LT50 values were also lower in the case of E. camaldulensis (50.22 h) and A. indica (54.39 h) compared to other botanicals at 25% concentration. Among all tested phytoextracts, A. indica and E. camaldulensis were found to be most effective against nymphal population of D. mangiferae, and hence are recommended to the indigenous citrus growers combating mealybug infestations on citrus.
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