Efficacy of Libidibia ferrea var. ferrea and Agave sisalana Extracts against Dactylopius opuntiae (Hemiptera: Coccoidea)

Abstract

The carmine cochineal (Dactylopius opuntiae) is an insect-plague of Opuntia ficus-indica palm crops, causing losses in the production of the vegetable used as forage for the Brazilian semiarid animals. The objective of this work was to analyze the efficacy of plant extracts, insecticides and their combination in the control of D. opuntiae. Leaf and pod extracts of Libidibia ferrea var. ferrea, Agave sisalana leaf at concentrations 10, 25, 50, 100 and 200 mg/mL, and insecticides (chlorpyrifos, acetamiprid, thiamethoxam and lamba-cyhalothrin) at concentrations minimum, median and maximum; were applied on cladodes infested by D. opuntiae. After 10 days of treatment, the percentages of mortality and LC 50 (concentration to kill 50% of cochineal) were obtained on the stages of nymphs II and adult females. The association between the LC 50 of the plant extracts with the insecticides on the cochineal it was tested. The results showed that L. ferrea extracts were more effective against cochineal, causing the 81% of nymphal II mortality (LC 50 : 20 to 160 mg/mL) and 97% of adult females (LC 50 : 43 to 50 mg/mL), whereas the extracts of A. sisalana only controlled adult females, causing the mortality from 51 to 97% (LC 50 : 17 to 46 mg/mL). The insecticide chlorpyrifos was the most efficient on nymphs and adult females cochineal (LC 50 : 0,084 mL/L). The combination of this insecticide with the extracts promoted a percentage of mortality above 90%. The extracts presented insecticidal potential on D. opuntiae and can be tested isolated or in combination with insecticides in control of cochineal.

Caesalpinia ferrea C. Mart. (Fabaceae) Phytochemistry, Ethnobotany, and Bioactivities: A Review

“…The insecticidal activity of the leaf and pod aqueous and methanolic extracts against Dactylopius opuntiae (“Cochonilha-do-carmin”) were also verified, with a 72.46–99.33% of adult female mortality being observed [ 91 ]. Results using the same extract and D. opuntiae demonstrated LC 50 values ranging from 20–150 mg/mL for the nymphs and 43–50 mg/mL for the adults, while other tests using termites as a study model ( Nasutitermes corniger ) presented LC 50 values ranging from 0.255–1.279 mg·mL −1 for the workers and 0.146–8.003 mg·mL −1 for the soldiers [ 89 , 92 ].…”

Termiticidal Activity of Libidibia ferrea var. ferrea and of the Association With Isaria spp. Against Nasutitermes corniger

“…The mixtures were then agitated for 24 h, filtered, and the solvent evaporated in a rotary evaporator. The extracts (200 mg mL -1 ) were subsequently diluted with distilled water (containing 0.1% Tween 80) to final concentrations of 100 mg mL -1 , 50 mg mL -1 , 25 mg mL -1 , and 10 mg mL -1 (Lopes et al, 2018).…”

“…Ex Tul.) L. P. Queiroz (Fabales: Fabaceae) (= Caesalpinia ferrea) is a widely distributed tree native principally found in northern and northeastern regions of Brazil (Queiroz, 2010), and insecticidal activity has been documented on nymphs and adults of the cochineal Dactylopius opuntiae (Cockerell) (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae) (Lopes et al, 2018).…”

Efficacy of Biocontrol Agents Beauveria bassiana and Plant Extracts on Dactylopius opuntiae Cockerell (Hemiptera: Dactylopiidae)

“…However, cochineal also parasitizes species of cacti including O. ficus-indica. In Brazil and Mexico the insect threatens cultivars of this plant causing losses in the production of fodder and fruits, with enormous economic consequences for farmers and ranchers (Santos et al, 2006;Chavez-Moreno, Tecante, & Casas, 2009;Lopes et al, 2018). The use of insecticides in the control of large infestation foci of carmine cochineal as well as the use of insect-resistant palm cultivars is, therefore, recommended in order to maintain infestation at a level that does not damage crop productivity significantly (Santos et al, 2006;Falcão, Oliveira, Mergulhão, Silva, & Santos, 2013).…”