Neem Derivatives Are Not Effective as Toxic Bait for Tephritid Fruit Flies

Abstract

Neem derivatives have been widely touted as replacements for pesticides. A feasible replacement of synthetic insecticides in the management of fruit flies could be to use neem products in baits. This study evaluated the bioactivity of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) derivatives in bait for adults of Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann). The estimated LCs50 values for A. fraterculus and C. capitata were 7,522 ppm (18.40 ppm of azadirachtin) and 1,368 ppm (3.35 ppm of azadirachtin), respectively, using an aqueous extract of neem seeds in bait after 10 d of experimentation. No significant differences in the mortality of A. fraterculus and C. capitata adults exposed to baits made from different extracts and neem oil were observed after 3 h or 2 or 6 d; differences among the treatments were observed only on the 10th day of the evaluation. We conclude that neem derivatives applied as a bait spray over citrus plants did not demonstrate a toxic effect on A. fraterculus and C. capitata. The reasons for the low efficacy of the neem bait on Tephritid fruit flies are discussed.

Biology and fertility life table of Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) exposed to neem-based formulations

“…Perhaps the most studied effects of sublethal doses are those related to insect feeding inhibitory activity (deterrent effect) and those that influence insect development, especially ecdysis (Silva et al, 2013). These could explain the observed pupal mortality in larvae fed with neem-based products.…”

Present status and future prospects to safeguard Nepali citrus industry against Chinese citrus fly (Bactrocera minax Enderlein)

“…In Ceratis capitata both NSC and parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) increased the larval mortality and decreased the adult emergence (Alvarenga et al, 2012). NSK only, however is not so effective to be used as toxic bait against C. capitate (Silva et al, 2013).…”

“…Sweet orange Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck (Chauhan et al, 2019;Adhikari et al, 2019) Lemon Citrus limon L. Osbeck (Adhikari et al, 2019) Lime Citrus aurantiifolia (Adhikari et al, 2019) Mandarin Citrus reticulata Blanco (Adhikari et al, 2019) Control with natural product insecticides Some evidences hint the possible use of natural product insecticides like Neem Seed Cake (NSC) and parasitoid against larvae of some fruitflies (Singh, 2003;Silva et al, 2013). In Ceratis capitata both NSC and parasitoid Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) increased the larval mortality and decreased the adult emergence (Alvarenga et al, 2012).…”

Acttra SWD Bait Formulation Against Drosophila Suzukii and its Compatibility with Berry Pollination by the Honey Bee, Apis Mellifera

“…Exposure consisted of placing twenty 50 ml drops of each treatment on a 5 cm x 5 cm strip of Parafilm® (Heathrow Scientific, Vernon Hills, IL, USA) inside each container for 30 min. The dye was used to determine if the bees consumed the drops as described by Silva et al (2013) for Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) (Diptera: Tephritidae). Thus, any living or dead bee with its abdomen colored red consumed the treatment (Fig.…”