We tested the bioactivity of aqueous extracts of Ludwigia spp. (Myrtales: Onagraceae) on the biological cycle of Plutella xylostella. We assessed the duration of and viability during the larval, pupal and adult phases, as well as the influence of the extracts on the fecundity and hatching of P. xylostella eggs. Subsequently, we phytochemically screened the extracts. The extracts of L. tomentosa and L. longifolia reduced the pupal weight instead of prolonging the larval stage of P. xylostella. The L. tomentosa effect caused higher larval mortality and reduced the fecundity and hatching of P. xylostella eggs, and L. sericea reduced the egg survival. The phenolic compounds—flavonoids, condensed tannins and alkaloids—were more abundant in L. nervosa, L. tomentosa, L. sericea and L. longifolia. The L. tomentosa, L. longifolia and L. sericea extracts were bioactive, and these species showed the best results regarding their ability to control P. xylostella populations, because these plants produce substances able to inhibit food consumption and interfere with the morphological and physiological transformations of the offspring and the oviposition of adults.
Sustainability in food production is an increasingly discussed issue nowadays; therefore, demands for research that can reduce production costs and ensure the quality and autonomy of production are relevant, with attention to the use of plants due to their importance in biodiversity. Thus, the objective of this research was to evaluate the bioactivity, feeding preference, and oviposition preference of Miconia albicans botanical extracts at concentrations of 1%, 5%, and 10% against Plutella xylostella. We observed reduced larval duration, larval survival, female hatching success, and repellence of oviposition and feeding for all concentrations. For higher concentrations, the extracts showed a larval mortality rate of 58%, a feeding reduction of 82%, and an oviposition reduction of 94%, showing potential for pest control. Phytochemical analyses identified phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and tannins, which are substances with repellent and larvicidal properties. This is the first report on the phytosanitary potential of M. albicans, showing that the plant has both lethal and sublethal effects on P. xylostella.
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