Insecticidal activity of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. extracts on Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Abstract

The use of natural products with insecticidal action is a control method compatible with integrated pest management, since it reduces the impacts caused to human health and the environment. This study aimed to assess the effect of Azadirachta indica A. Juss. (Meliaceae) leaf and seed aqueous extracts, on citrus blackfly (Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby). Citrus x latifolia Tanaka ex Q. Jiménez leaves infested with blackfly nymphs were immersed for five seconds in different A. indica leaf and seed extract concentrations (1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 10 w/v). Distillate water was used as control. The assessments were performed at 3, 6 and 9 days after leaf immersion, by counting dead insect number. The A. indica leaf and seed aqueous extracts were efficient in the mortality of A. woglumi nymphs, representing an alternative method to control this pest.