Metanolic extract from the root bark of <em>Mimosa tenuiflora</em> (Willd.) Poiret to control <em>Aleurocanthus woglumi</em> ASHBY (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

Abstract

The black fly, Aleurocanthus woglumi Ashby, is an important pest of citrus in Brazil causing damage that leads to significant economic losses. In this work, we sought to test extracts of Mimosa tenuiflora, a typical plant of the Brazilian caatinga, as an alternative for use in controlling the pest.We used extracts at concentrations of 3, 5, 7 and 10 mg L -1 . The nymphs were exposed by immersing the leaf in the solution and kept in controlled conditions of temperature, humidity and photoperiod for evaluation of mortality. The extract at 5 mg L -1 provided the highest morality over the days of evaluation. The species showed promise to be further investigated for use in citrus blackfly control.