Efficacy of Chinaberry tree (Meliaceae) aqueous extracts and certain insecticides against the pea leafminer (Diptera: Agromyzidae)

Abstract

Aqueous extracts of fruits and leaves of the Chinaberry tree, Melia azedarach L. were tested for their efficacy versus other biotic and synthetic insecticides against the pea leafminer, Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard). The study included field experiments on naturally infested swiss chard, Beta vulgaris var. Cicla L., and greenhouse experiments on artificially infested cucumber, Cucumis sativus L. that were conducted in 1995–96. The other treatments included azadirachtin (0·25%), ultrafine mineral oil, abamectin, cyromazine, imidacloprid, pyrazophos and control. Results of field experiments indicated that Melia fruit extract and the other insecticides significantly lowered the number of larvae per swiss chard plant as compared to the control, at 5 days sampling after second spray or 15 days after first spray, when two consecutive sprays were performed. However, at 10 days after second spray, the fruit extract did not differ significantly from the control, but it was comparable in its effect to the insecticides, except abamectin and cyromazine. In greenhouse experiments, the pea leafminer larvae were found at higher densities on cucumber leaves located at the lower plant part (10–60 cm) compared to other leaf positions. The Melia fruit extract and the other pesticides significantly decreased the number of live larvae per cucumber leaf compared to the control, 10 days after each spray. The fruit extract, abamectin, cyromazine, imidacloprid and pyrazophos lowered the leafminer population significantly compared to the control, throughout the period of the experiments. However, the fruit extract was significantly less effective than these insecticides at the final count, 20 days after second spray. Abamectin and cyromazine consistently showed a significant decrease in number of larvae, in both field and greenhouse experiments. At certain periods of the experiments, Melia extracts were comparable in their efficacy to the tested commercial biorational and synthetic pesticides. Thus, they have a good potential to be used in the management of the pea leafminer. This is the first report for use of M. azedarach against L. huidobrensis.

Effect of Melia azedarach (Sapindales: Meliaceae) fruit extracts on Citrus Leafminer Phyllocnistis citrella (Lepidoptera: Gracillariidae)

“…The population of the Agromyzid pea leafminer Liriomyza huidobrensis (Blanchard) was reduced after surface application of Melia fruit extract on swisschard and cucumber plants grown under field and greenhouse conditions, respectively (Abou-Fakhr Hammad et al 2000a, 2000b). Similarly, M. azedarach immature fruit extracts resulted in fewer initiated larval mines of the vegetable leafminer Liriomyza sativae Blanchard on cowpea plants (Abou-Fakhr Hammad and McAuslane 2010) .…”

“…Similarly, M. azedarach immature fruit extracts resulted in fewer initiated larval mines of the vegetable leafminer Liriomyza sativae Blanchard on cowpea plants (Abou-Fakhr Hammad and McAuslane 2010) . Furthermore, Melia extracts applied on various plants exerted toxic and repellent effect against the nymph and adult whiteflies of Bemisia species, respectively (Abou-Fakhr Hammad and McAuslane 2006; Abou-Fakhr Hammad et al 2001; Abou-Fakhr Hammad et al 2000a, 2000b). …”

Effects of Melia azedarach, (Meliaceae) fruit extracts on the leafminer Liriomyza huidobrensis, (Diptera, Agromyzidae): Assessment in laboratory and field experiments

“…Further effects on oviposition and larval development were , 1999bAbou-Fakhr Hammad et al, 2000a,b). In a field study, Abou-Fakhr Hammad et al (2000a) reported a decrease in numbers of Liriomyza huidobrensis larvae following applications of M. azedarach extracts; the mechanisms involved in such effects were not addressed. In the present paper we analyse the effects of M. azedarach fruit extracts on feeding and oviposition behaviours of L. huidobrensis adult females, as well as translaminar effects on leafminer larvae survival and size.…”

Efficacy of extracts of Melia azedarach L. callus, leaves and fruits against adults of the sweetpotato whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Hom., Aleyrodidae)

“…(1987) found that methanolic extracts of chinaberry fruits possess insecticidal potency that is comparable or equivalent to that of Azadirachta indica seed extracts and/or that of azadirachtin. Melia azedarach is known to have repellent, antifeedant (S AXENA , 1987) and other pesticidal properties (O LKOWSKI and O LKOWSKI , 1988; A BOU ‐F AKHR et al., 2000a) against certain insect pests.…”