Effects of five species of Chenopodiaceae on the development and reproductive potential of Copitarsia decolora (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)
Keywords:
essential oil, Chenopodium graveolens, Beta vulgaris, fecundity, mean survival timeAbstract
Modern agriculture aims to reduce continuous applications of synthetic chemical pesticides for pest control because of issues such as pollution, loss of trade and disruption of biological control agents, potentially leading to pest outbreaks. Botanical insecticides are a good alternative to synthetic pesticides, as they have lower environmental hazard, are biodegradable and can be used shortly before harvesting. We tested the effect of essential oils (EOs) and aqueous extracts (AEs) of Chenopodiaceae plants (Dysphania ambrosioides (=Chenopodium ambrosioides), Chenopodium album, C. berlandieri subsp. nuttalliae, C. graveolens and Beta vulgaris), incorporated into the diet under lab conditions, on a widely distributed insect pest in America, the cabbage pest, Copitarsia decolora Guenée 1852 (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). The EO of C. graveolens at 0.5% reduced the larvae and pupae weight by 30 and 15%, respectively; increased the larval period length by 17% and reduced fecundity and fertility by 80 and 85%, respectively related to the control. EOs of C. berlandieri and B. vulgaris at 0.5% increased larval and pupal period length by 22% and 38% and both reduced fecundity and fertility by 99% related to the control. None of the plant extracts tested caused immediate C. decolora mortality, but EOs reduced mean survival time and reproductive capacity of the insect. This is the first report of C. berlandieri EO effect against an insect pest. The EOs of C. graveolens, B. vulgaris and C. berlandieri have great potential as alternatives to synthetic chemicals for insect control and deserve further exploration.
Resumen
La agricultura moderna trata de reducir la aplicación continua de productos sintéticos para controlar plagas debido a la contaminación que producen, la restricción a ciertos mercados y el daño a agentes de control biológico que pudieran dar lugar a la aparición de plagas. Los insecticidas botánicos son una buena opción ya que son biodegradables, tienen un impacto mínimo en el ambiente y pueden usarse poco tiempo antes de la cosecha. Probamos el efecto biológico de los aceites esenciales (EOs) y extractos acuosos (AEs) de varias plantas Chenopodiaceae (Dysphania ambrosioides (=Chenopodium ambrosioides), Chenopodium album, C. berlandieri subsp. nuttalliae, C. graveolens y Beta vulgaris) en condiciones de laboratorio, sobre un insecto plaga de amplia distribución en América, la palomilla de la col Copitarsia decolora. El AE de C. graveolens al 0.5% redujo el peso de las larvas y pupas en 33 y 15%, respectivamente; prolongó el periodo larval en un 17% y redujo la fecundidad y fertilidad en 80 y 85%, respectivamente con respecto al control. Los AEs de C. berlandieri y B. vulgaris al 0.5% prolongaron en un 22% el periodo larval y en un 38% el periodo pupal y ambos inhibieron la fecundidad y fertilidad en un 99% con respecto al control. Ninguna planta probada tuvo un efecto insecticida inmediato pero AEs redujeron significativamente el tiempo medio de vida y la capacidad reproductiva del insecto. Este es el primer reporte de la actividad del AE de C. berlandieri contra un insecto plaga. Los AEs de C. graveolens, B. vulgaris y C. berlandieri tienen gran potencial como alternativa a los productos sintéticos y merecen ser más estudiados.
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