Search

Mosquitoes are the most common disease vectors for several prevalent diseases, such as Dengue, Zika, Malaria, Encephalitis, Chikungunya, and yellow fever. Since the last few years, the world has recorded an unprecedented rise in Aedes-borne dengue incidences. Frequent use of chemicals has resulted in hazardous effects on the environment, non-targets and humans, necessitating the need to develop a safer and more efficient control strategy using plant-based products. The present study investigated the effects of Cassia occidentalis on various biological parameters of the Aedes aegypti larvae. The hexane extracts obtained from the leaf and stem of the plant were utilized to treat the larvae for 24 hours. The LC50 values for the leaf and stem extracts of C. occidentalis were determined as 0.103 mg/mL and 0.088 mg/mL, respectively. The corresponding lethal values of leaf and stem extracts obtained against pupae were 0.111 and 0.138 mg/mL. The extracts also imparted latent toxic effects and reduced the % adults developed from the survived larvae in the 60.00-61.67% range at the median lethal dose. The extracttreated larvae were restless and showed abnormal behaviour, like aggressive movements and self-biting of anal papillae. The inner membrane cuticle of anal papillae was shrunken and the gut region was damaged and disintegrated. The adults who emerged from the larvae, treated with 1.0 mg/mL of C. occidentalis hexane stem and leaf extracts, showed 1.8-fold and 2.29-fold decreased oviposition, respectively. Further study with identified bioactive constituents in the extracts can help to formulate green insecticides for Ae. aegypti management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fruit flies are notorious insect pests causing considerable loss to agriculture produce. This effort was meant to evaluate the response of different life stages of peach fruit fly to plant extracts having insecticidal properties. Extract of three native plant species (Azadirachta indica, Zataria multiflora, Achillea santolina) and their various concentration (2, 1, and 0.5%) were used for the purpose. Firstly, the artificial diet of fruit flies was subjected to these treatments, while on the other hand chikoo fruits which were used for flies to settle on, were dipped in same concentrations of these plant extracts, and dried under shade and exposed to peach fruit flies for feeding for 15 days. All the three plants exhibited insect repelling potential but these had no significant difference from each other, while A. indica showing nonsignificant but most promising results. Similarly, there was no significant combine effect of plants extracts and its various concentrations. However, various doses of plant extracts showed significant difference in reducing the number of oviposition, pupae developed, flies settled and post settling reproduction. There was inverse response of peach fruit flies to increasing concentration of plant extracts. Minimum significant number of fruit flies (0.58) settled after 18 h, reaching to its peak (1.73) after 42 h showing a decreasing trend subsequently. Hence, all the plants exhibited insecticidal potential and resulted in reduction of fruit fly population in laboratory condition. Thus, these plant extracts could be considered as potent biological insecticides for peach fruit fly owing to field trails. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The spotted-wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii, is an invasive pest of soft-skinned fruits that has rapidly spread across the globe and causes hundreds of millions of dollars in crop losses worldwide. Today, the management of SWD heavily relies on the application of synthetic pesticides, which are potentially hazardous to humans, animals, other organisms, and the environment. A natural-product-based sustainable integrated pest management approach is urgently needed to reduce conventional synthetic pesticide usages. A promising behavior-based control method is the "push–pull" strategy, which uses a repellent to drive pests away from fruits (push) and towards SWD attractant-baited mass trapping devices (pull). Methyl benzoate, a naturally occurring chemical found in many plants and FDA-approved food additives, was found to be repellent to SWD in laboratory tests. In this study, we tested whether this compound could also be used to protect blueberries from SWD injury in the field. Our results demonstrated that methyl benzoate as a spatial repellent/oviposition deterrent can be deployed in blueberry fields to reduce the damage caused by SWD, although this repellent is not sufficient to act as a control strategy alone and will need to be integrated with other strategies to provide adequate protection to growers. We evaluated a novel push–pull control strategy for protecting highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum, against spotted-wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii. Methyl benzoate (MB) was used as the pushing agent and a previously tested SWD attractive blend of lure-scents was used as the pulling agent. MB dispensers (push) were hung in the canopy and lure-scent dispensers (pull) were hung in yellow jacket traps filled with soapy water around the blueberry bushes. Blueberries were sampled weekly, and any infestation was inspected by examining the breathing tubes of SWD eggs which protrude through the skin of infested fruit. The frequency of infestation, i.e., the proportion of berries infested with at least one egg, and the extent of infestation, i.e., the mean number of eggs in infested berries, were significantly reduced in treatments receiving MB dispensers as a pushing agent when infestation rates were very high. However, the mass trapping devices as a pulling agent did not provide comparable protection on their own and did not produce additive protection when used in combination with the MB dispensers in push–pull trials. We conclude that MB has the potential to be implemented as a spatial repellent/oviposition deterrent to reduce SWD damage in blueberry under field conditions and does not require the SWD attractant as a pulling agent to achieve crop protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effective mosquito repellents can limit the transmission of vector-borne diseases to humans. Consequently, there is an urgent need to develop mosquito control strategies that prioritize eco-friendly and cost-effective repellents. Essential oils (EOs) have enormous potential for mosquito repellency. Here, cinnamon, basil, eucalyptus, and peppermint EOs were investigated for adulticide and repellency properties against Culex pipiens as well on the oviposition behavior of gravid females from laboratory (lab test) and field (field test) populations. Cinnamon oil was an effective oviposition deterrent regardless of the population and had high adulticidal activity with toxicity index of 75.00% at 24 h of exposure, relative to deltamethrin. In addition, it exhibited effective repellency at 98.01% and 71.22% at 6.67 and 1.71 µl/cm2, respectively. Peppermint oil had the least adulticidal activity with toxicity index of 6.2% at 24 h, and it resulted in low repellency at 70.90% and 50.64% at 6.67 and 1.71 µl/cm2, respectively. On average, basil and eucalyptus oils showed some adulticidal efficiency, repellency, and oviposition deterrent activity. For all treatments, the oviposition deterrent index values of gravid females from natural populations (field test) were lower than those from lab-reared (lab test) females. Different ratios of monoterpenoids, phenylpropanoids, and fatty acids in the EOs tested likely account for the activity variations observed. Our results suggest cinnamon, basil, eucalyptus, and peppermint EOs, which are widely available, economical, and eco-friendly, with good potential for mosquito control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Bactrocera dorsalis, oriental fruit fly (OFF), is one of the most destructive agricultural pests. Although bait sprays can effectively control OFF, resistance development has been a concern. We evaluated the oviposition deterrent activity of coconut free fatty acids (CFFA), a mixture of eight coconut oil‐derived fatty acids known to repel hematophagous insects and deter their feeding and oviposition, against OFF females. RESULTS: In laboratory 72‐h two‐choice assays using guava‐juice infused‐agar as an oviposition substrate, CFFA deterred OFF oviposition in a dose‐dependent manner with the greatest reduction of 87% at 20 mg dose compared to the control. When the eight CFFA components were tested individually, four compounds (caprylic, capric, oleic, and linoleic acids) significantly reduced OFF oviposition ('negative‐compounds'), two (lauric and myristic acids) had no effect ('neutral‐compounds'), and two (palmitic and stearic acids) stimulated OFF oviposition ('positive‐compounds'). In two‐choice tests, the 'negative‐compounds' blend failed to elicit the same level of oviposition reduction as CFFA at equivalent concentrations found in CFFA. Adding the two 'neutral‐compounds' recovered the oviposition deterrence similar to CFFA. Subsequent subtraction tests showed that four 'negative‐compounds' plus lauric acid was as effective as CFFA in reducing OFF oviposition in guava‐juice agar. This five‐component key‐deterrent blend also reduced OFF oviposition by 95 and 72% on papaya and tomato fruit, respectively. CONCLUSION: CFFA acts as an oviposition deterrent for OFF. Given that CFFA compounds are generally regarded as safe for humans and the environment, CFFA and its bioactive components have potential use in behavioral control strategies against OFF. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. This article has been contributed to by U.S. Government employees and their work is in the public domain in the USA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated a novel push–pull control strategy for protecting highbush blueberry, Vaccinium corymbosum, against spotted-wing drosophila (SWD), Drosophila suzukii. Methyl benzoate (MB) was used as the pushing agent and a previously tested SWD attractive blend of lure-scents was used as the pulling agent. MB dispensers (push) were hung in the canopy and lure-scent dispensers (pull) were hung in yellow jacket traps filled with soapy water around the blueberry bushes. Blueberries were sampled weekly, and any infestation was inspected by examining the breathing tubes of SWD eggs which protrude through the skin of infested fruit. The frequency of infestation, i.e., the proportion of berries infested with at least one egg, and the extent of infestation, i.e., the mean number of eggs in infested berries, were significantly reduced in treatments receiving MB dispensers as a pushing agent when infestation rates were very high. However, the mass trapping devices as a pulling agent did not provide comparable protection on their own and did not produce additive protection when used in combination with the MB dispensers in push–pull trials. We conclude that MB has the potential to be implemented as a spatial repellent/oviposition deterrent to reduce SWD damage in blueberry under field conditions and does not require the SWD attractant as a pulling agent to achieve crop protection.

Mosquitoes are the potential vectors of several viral diseases such as filariasis, malaria, dengue, yellow fever, Zika fever and encephalitis in humans as well as other species. Dengue, the most common mosquito-borne disease in humans caused by the dengue virus is transmitted by the vector Ae. aegypti. Fever, chills, nausea and neurological disorders are the frequent symptoms of Zika and dengue. Thanks to various anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, industrialized farming and poor drainage facilities there has been a significant rise in mosquitoes and vector-borne diseases. Control measures such as the destruction of mosquito breeding places, a reduction in global warming, as well as the use of natural and chemical repellents, mainly DEET, picaridin, temephos and IR-3535 have proven to be effective in many instances. Although potent, these chemicals cause swelling, rashes, and eye irritation in adults and children, and are also toxic to the skin and nervous system. Due to their shorter protection period and harmful nature towards non-target organisms, the use of chemical repellents is greatly reduced, and more research and development is taking place in the field of plant-derived repellents, which are found to be selective, biodegradable and harmless to non-target species. Many tribal and rural communities across the world have been using plant-based extracts since ancient times for various traditional and medical purposes, and to ward off mosquitoes and various other insects. In this regard, new species of plants are being identified through ethnobotanical surveys and tested for their repellency against Ae. aegypti. This review aims to provide insight into many such plant extracts, essential oils and their metabolites, which have been tested for their mosquitocidal activity against different life cycle forms of Ae. Aegypti, as well as for their efficacy in controlling mosquitoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pure and combined essential oils of Salvia subg. Perovskia species exhibited insecticidal and oviposition deterrent activities. • The fumigant toxicity is directly related to the principal constituent of essential oils. • The combination of EOs including 1,8 cineol and geranyl acetate as corresponding compounds, causes lethal and sub-lethal effects against Phthorimaea operculella. • Adults of P. operculella showed considerable sensitivity to mixing EOs in 25:75 proportional of S. yangii and S. abrotanoides. Volatile organic compounds especially terpenoid derivatives possess bioactivities including insecticidal effects, and they sometimes act synergistically when mixed. The potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella Zeller, is one of the most serious pests of potatoes in Iran. Since the potato is an important source of human food, safe and non-chemical control of its pest is indispensable. This study evaluated the fumigant toxicity of pure and two mixtures of essential oils (EOs) of three Salvia subg. Perovskia species against P. operculella. GC–MS phytochemical profiling of species showed 1,8-cineole (12.55%) and linalyl acetate (11.48%), as dominant in S. yangii -EO, geranyl acetate (55.64%), and 1,8-cineole (10.50%) as major constituents in S. abrotanoides -EO, and δ-3-carene (29.29%) and 1,8-cineol (18.08%), as major compounds of S. artemisioides -EO. The EOs, especially combined types were toxic against the pest and showed ovicidal and repellent efficacies. Adults showed considerable sensitivity to the 25:75 mixture ratio of S. yangii and S. abrotanoides EOs (LC 50 = 5.82 µL/L air) in comparison to eggs (LC 50 = 10.10 µL/L air). The combined EOs also reduced the ovipositional rate. In addition, pure S. abrotanoides EOs showed great fumigant toxicities (11.09 µL/L air) effects against one-old-day eggs. The combination of EOs including 1,8 cineol and geranyl acetate as corresponding compounds, may affect survival, energy resource transfer during oogenesis, and oviposition, which are likely mechanisms involved with essential oil toxicity. As a result, Salvia essential oils can be used for the development of eco-friendly, safe, and effective botanical pesticides in integrated PTM management strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural predator–prey interactions in the insect world provide interesting insights into how female herbivores avoid ovipositing in places where a predator’s presence can be perceived. Several insects show such innate behavioural traits that can be harnessed to formulate safe pest management strategies in agriculture. Using customized oviposition assays, we studied the innate oviposition avoidance behaviour of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis, a frugivorous pest. Fruit flies preferred to lay eggs in a test region smeared with γ-octalactone (an oviposition stimulant used as a positive control) over one smeared with a mix of γ-octalactone and headspace volatiles of the weaver ant, Oecophylla smaragdina, a generalist predator in orchard ecosystems. A combination of the electrophysiologically active odour cues n-undecane and n-tridecane from the headspace volatiles of weaver ants was found to deter female fruit flies from ovipositing. Using these behaviour-modifying chemicals in a blend as a pre-harvest spray could potentially prevent egg-laying by the oriental fruit flies in ready-to-harvest fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Olive Fruit Fly Bactrocera oleae Rossi (Dip.: Tephritidae) which reduces the quantity and quality of olive products and oil, is considered as the most serious olive pest in the world, also in Iran. The present study was conducted in the Roudbar olive Research Station in Guilan, Iran between 2015 to 2017 regarding the efficiency of several oviposition deterrent compounds to reduce olive fruit fly damage. The treatments included kaolin 5% (Sepidan®), kaolin 4% (Sepidan®), kaolin 5% (Sepidan®)+ copper hydroxide, kaolin 4% (Sepidan®)+ copper hydroxide, copper hydroxide, and water as control. The experiment was performed in a (CRBD). Spraying was done three times a year. First, at the time of the pit hardening of the olive fruit, which was in late June. Second, with the activity onset of the second generation of the pest in early September and third with the appearance of the third generation of pests in early October. As a result, kaolin 5% + copper hydroxide had the highest oviposition deterrents effect on the olive fruit fly. In the first year of the study, the lowest level of total fruit infestation in this compound was 5.00 ± 1.46. In the second year, it was 5.00 ± 1.26. In the third year, the total fruit infestation was 2.42 ± 1.04 for kaolin 5% + copper hydroxide and 2.85 ± 1.22 for copper hydroxide which showed the lowest level of infestation of fruits. The results showed that copper hydroxide alone or combined with kaolin 5% with at least two sprays is recommended for controlling B. oleae and reducing the fruit damage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyri (L.) (Hemiptera Psyllidae), is the most destructive insect pest of pears in Turkey. In recent years, pear psylla control programs, based largely on the use of synthetic pesticides, have failed due to development of resistance to many synthetic insecticides in psylla populations. As an alternative control tactic, use of oviposition deterrents, which deter insects from laying eggs, is important in the management of insect pests. Based on this concept, four oily substances (palm oil, liquid grease, liquid Vaseline and liquid paraffin) were evaluated for their oviposition deterrent activity against winterform females of C. pyri under field conditions in 2018 and 2019. Only one application was made each year, and all the substances were used at three different concentrations (1, 1.5 and 2 L/100 L water), including 0.01% Tween 20 for a good mixture. Control plots were sprayed with tap water + Tween 20 (0.01%). Applications in both years were made at the dormant period (just before the first eggs were deposited by winterform females). Oviposition deterrence of the substances was evaluated by weekly counts of eggs deposited by winterform females of C. pyri on treated dormant shoots throughout one month after application. The results showed that no oviposition was observed in the plots treated with liquid grease and liquid paraffin, indicating that these substances exhibited 100% oviposition deterrent activity at all the concentrations during the study period in both years. Palm oil had a lower level of deterrence than the other substances tested. In the control plots, first eggs were seen 3 days post application in both years. Results suggest that liquid grease and liquid paraffin were highly promising as oviposition deterrents and had the potential for early suppression of pear psylla populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The study was conducted to evaluate the infestation and tolerance of Callosobruchus maculatus to stored cowpea treated with Anchomanes difformis extracts. Research Method: Different concentrations of A. difformis extracts were admixed with 20g of uninfested cowpea seeds in 250ml plastic dishes. Ten unsexed adult C. maculatus were released into each treatment and toxicity was assessed at 24 hrs interval days after infestation, number of eggs laid on cowpea seeds was counted. At the end of the experiment, seeds were reweighed, number of emerged adult and damaged seeds were recorded. Findings: All extracts were significantly toxic to C. maculatus as concentration increased. Ethyl acetate (EA) extract exerted highest mortality ranged 90-100%, while methanol recorded highest longevity. Maximum reduction in egg laid was observed with EA extract (51.44-74.45%), followed by methanol extract at 100 (58.69%) and 150 µl (69.56%). While maximum adult emergence inhibition was observed at 150 µl (93.33%) with EA. Cowpea seeds in control dishes suffered the heaviest infestation (31.76%) compared to EA and acetone extracts that recorded zero infestation at 100 and 150 µl concentration respectively. Susceptibility of cowpea seeds treated with extracts was significantly lower compared to control with 100%infestation.Limitations: No hindrances was encountered during the study. Originality/Value: The study revealed that A. difformis possesses oviposition deterrent and adult emergence inhibition properties against C. maculatus that can be utilize for the management of C. maculatus in stored cowpea seeds. Further studies are recommended for exploring the active compound responsible for its insecticidal activities and toxicological effect using albino rats as a model.

The use of botanical insecticides in place of synthetic ones is gradually gaining traction in mosquito control. This research examined the potency of Clerodendrum volubile and Petivera alliacea ethanolic leaf extracts against different life stages of Anopheles gambiae. Each plant extracts were formulated into concentrations of 50, 100, 200, 400 and 800 mg/l. Mosquito bioassays namely oviposition deterrent, larvicidal, pupicidal, adulticidal and repellency effect were investigated. The highest concentrations of C. volubile and P. alliacea had oviposition active index of −0.60 and − 0.76 respectively. Larval mortality of 58.33 and 100% were recorded for 800 mg/l concentration of C. volubile and P. alliacea after 24 h of exposure. However, the same concentration for both plant extracts recorded 100% after 48 and 72 h. The pupicidal activity of 800 mg/l of C. volubile were 51.67, 71.67 and 100%, and for P. alliacea 85, 100, 100% after 24, 48 and 72 h respectively. The adult mortality for both plant extracts were 16.67% at the highest used concentration after 30 min of exposure. Nevertheless, after 120 min, the same concentration of C. volubile and P. alliacea extracts recorded mortalities of 75 and 100% separately. Clerodendrum volubile extract provided protection of 100% against An. gambiae bites for 90 min while P. alliacea lasted for about 120 min. Petivera alliacea recorded the lowest LC50 and LC90 values for all the various life stages. The efficacies of these plant extracts imply that they can be incorporated into the integrated management of mosquitoes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Drosophila suzukii (Matsumura), spotted-wing drosophila (SWD), is a major invasive pest of soft-skinned fruits in North America and Europe. Although insecticides are currently the primary method of SWD control, it is imperative to develop alternative management approaches, such as behavioral control through the use of repellents and attractants. This study explores the repellent properties of 2-pentylfuran as an oviposition deterrent on raspberries. RESULTS: 2-Pentylfuran was found to be aversive to SWD in laboratory multiple-choice tests. When co-released from a vial (loaded as neat compound) with a synthetic SWD lure, 2-pentylfuran reduced SWD attraction to the SWD lure by 98% and the effect appeared 17% stronger compared to 1-octen-3-ol, a known SWD repellent. Releasing 50% 2-pentylfuran mixed with mineral oil from a vial located near ripe raspberries resulted in 30% reduction in SWD oviposition in the field. In laboratory nochoice assays, 2-pentylfuran reduced SWD oviposition on raspberries above 2.5 mg h−1 with greater repellency achieved at higher release rates. A release rate of 10 mg h−1 from a polyethylene sachet reduced egg-laying on raspberries by 60% in a semifield cage choice experiment. In a field experiment using fruiting raspberry clusters, 14 mg h−1 release rate of 2-pentylfuran was effective at reducing SWD infestations by 56% compared to untreated plots. CONCLUSION: 2-Pentylfuran acts as a repellent for SWD and can significantly reduce fruit infestations under field conditions and high SWD pressure. Given that 2-pentylfuran is a registered food additive and generally regarded as safe, 2-pentylfuran has a potential use in behavioral control strategies against SWD. Published 2020. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Insecticide resistance is the major threat in pest control management. Formulation with silver nanoparticle can be used as an alternative method to overcome these problems. Nanoparticles can provide a cheap and reliable source against Tribolium castaneum. The primary aim of our study is to compare the insecticidal efficacy of nanoparticles with commercial insecticide malathion. Results Due to the problems associated with the indiscriminate use of synthetic insecticides which promote the insect resistance, it is necessary to give an extra impulse to search alternative ways to control this pest. Silver nanoparticle can provide an accurate solution. In this study, the silver nanoparticles were synthesized, characterized and tested against the Tribolium castaneum. Characterization of the silver nanoparticles was done using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The study was conducted to compare the mortality rate, ovipositional deterrent, repellent activity and antifeedent activity of different concentration of malathion, silver nanoparticles and the mixed suspension of silver nanoparticles and malathion against Tribolium castaneum. Results of all the assays clearly showed that the combination of silver nanoparticles with malathion shows high insecticidal efficacy. Conclusion Development of resistance to the pesticide is acknowledged as the most serious problem in pest control. Nanotechnology can revolutionize agriculture and can provide a solution for pest management. The results from the study suggest that the silver nanoparticles have the pesticidal property which is an alternative solution for the insecticide resistance.

Objective: To investigate the efficacies of 12 essential oil (EO) formulations from three Zingiberaceae plants (Alpinia galanga, Curcuma zedoaria, and Zingiber cassumunar) individually and in combination with an augmenting Eucalyptus globulus (E. globulus) EO against females of Aedes albopictus (Ae. albopictus) and Anopheles minimus (An. minimus). Methods: These formulations were evaluated for their ovicidal, oviposition deterrent and adulticidal activities against Ae. albopictus and An. minimus by a topical method, a double-choice method and a WHO susceptibility test, respectively. Results: It was found that all formulations of Zingiberaceae plants EOs augmented with E. globulus EO were more effective in oviposition deterrent, ovicidal, and adulticidal activities against the two mosquito species than all of the formulations used without E. globulus EO. Their oviposition deterrent, ovicidal and adulticidal activities were equivalent to those of 10% w/v cypermethrin. In contrast, 70% v/v ethyl alcohol as a control alone was not effective at all. The highest synergistic effect in effective repellency against Ae. albopictus was achieved by 5% Alpinia galanga EO + 5% E. globulus EO and against An. minimus was 5% Zingiber cassumunar EO + 5% E. globulus EO. Moreover, the highest synergistic effects in ovicidal activities against Ae. albopictus and An. minimus were achieved by 10% Zingiber cassumunar EO + 10% E. globulus EO and 5% Curcuma zedoaria EO + 5% E. globulus EO, respectively. For the adulticidal activities, the highest synergistic effect against two mosquitoes was achieved by 5% Curcuma zedoaria EO + 5% E. globulus EO. Conclusions: These results suggest that Zingiberaceae plant EOs augmented with E. globulus EO have a high potential to be developed into oviposition deterrent, ovicidal, and adulticidal agents for controlling populations of Ae. albopictus and An. minimus.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> <i>Chrysomya albiceps</i> is widely spread worldwide, causing myiasis in both humans and animals and playing a mechanical role in the spreading of helminths, viruses and bacteria. Searching for new and safe alternative control methods is very important to eliminate the transmission of pathogens. This study aims to determine the oviposition-deterrent activity of <i>Juniperus procera</i>, <i>Artemisia absinthium</i>, <i>Rosmarinus officinalis</i> and <i>Hypoestes forskaolii</i> wild plants against adult <i>Chrysomya albiceps</i>. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The effect of plant extracts from <i>Juniperus procera</i>, <i>Artemisia absinthium</i>, <i>Rosmarinus officinalis</i> and <i>Hypoestes forskaolii</i> plants were tested against adult females of <i>Chrysomya albiceps</i> for oviposition deterrent or repellency. These extracts resulted in oviposition deterrent efficacy for adult females of <i>C. albiceps</i> based on the plant type, plant part (leaves or stems), extract type (methanol, acetone and petroleum ether) and tested dose. <b>Results:</b> The highest anti-oviposition activity against <i>C. albiceps</i> females presented from <i>A. absinthium</i> stems acetone extract at a dose of 1 mg cm<sup>2</sup> by 100 %, while at 0.5 mg cm<sup>2</sup> recorded remarkable repellency by 86.7% as compared with the control treatment. According to the dose-response relationship, <i>A. absinthium</i> methanol and acetone extracts were ED<sub>50</sub> values of 0.85, 0.319 mg cm<sup>2</sup> (leaves) and 1.88, 0.576 mg cm<sup>2</sup> (stems), followed by <i>J. procera</i> methanol extract by 0.983 mg cm<sup>2</sup> (leaves) and 0.98 mg cm<sup>2</sup> (stems), respectively achieved highest oviposition deterrent efficiency as compared with other extracts. <b>Conclusion:</b> The high repellency activities of these extracts can be utilized to stop <i>C. albiceps</i> flies from laying eggs on wounds and transmitting myiasis diseases to humans and animals and could potentially replace pesticides used in the future control programs of flies.

BACKGROUND: Larvae of the diamond back moth (DBM), Plutella xylostella, are destructive cabbage pests causing economic losses worldwide. Continuous application of synthetic pesticides to control this pest has resulted in environmental pollution and resistant pest strains. Thus, there is a crucial need to seek natural alternatives with minimal detrimental effects. This study was designed to investigate the antifeedant activities of endophytic fungi of Cyperus iria and to determine the antifeedant, contact toxicity and oviposition deterrent activities of phyllostine acetate and phyllostine of the endophytic Diaporthe miriciae fungus. RESULTS: Two cyclohexeneoxidediones, phyllostine acetate (1) and phyllostine (2), isolated from an ethyl acetate extract of D. miriciae exhibited strong antifeedant, contact toxicity, and oviposition deterrent activities against P. xylostella. Phyllostine acetate (1) and phyllostine (2) showed feeding deterrent indexes of 100% at 50 μg cm−2 in the no‐choice leaf disc assay and 50% feeding deterrence (DC50) values of 9 and 4.7 μg cm−2 respectively. The median lethal concentration (LC50) values of phyllostine acetate (1) and phyllostine (2) were 4.38 and 6.54 μg/larva in the contact toxicity assay. The oviposition deterrent indexes of the two compounds were 100% for phyllostine acetate (1) and 28.6% for phyllostine (2) at 50 μg cm−2. CONCLUSION: Phyllostine acetate and phyllostine show promise as compounds for the control of P. xylostella. This study encourages further investigation of endophytic fungi of the family Cyperacea, for the development of natural pest control agents in agriculture. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate adulticidal, larvicidal and oviposition deterrent response of the essential oil from dried Zanthoxylum limonella (Z. limonella) fruit against Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus). Methods: Z. limonella oil was tested by biological assays at 1%, 5% and 10% concentrations in ethanol. Adulticidal efficacy was tested against the 2–3 day old adult females. Larvicidal activity was tested against immature stage of mosquitoes. Oviposition deterrence of the oil was evaluated on gravid females. Results: The adult mortality was observed after 24 h with the LC50 of 6.0% for Ae. aegypti, and 5.7% for Cx. quinquefasciatus. Larvicidal bioassay was carried out with the 10% Z. limonella oil against immature stages of Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus, which caused 100% mortality after 12 h and 24 h. In the larvicidal experiment, Z. limonella showed effective result at 1%, 5% and 10% concentrations with the values of LT50 Ae. aegypti = 9.78, 5.61, 0.24 h for larvae and LT50 = 64.08, 21.23 h for pupae; Cx. quinquefasciatus had LT50 = 28.46, 20.25, 1.01 h for larvae and LT50 = 67.52, 27.96, 4.11 h for pupae, respectively. Oviposition deterrence of the oil was evaluated on gravid females. In the study, 10% Z. limonella showed 100% repellency for Ae. aegypti and 99.53% for Cx. quinquefasciatus. Likewise, oviposition activity indexes of these oil concentrations were all negative values ranging from–0.89 to −1.00 for Ae. aegypti and–0.64 to–0.99 for Cx. quinquefasciatus. The oviposition activity indexes values revealed that Z. limonella oil has deterrent effect, and it caused a remarkable negative response resulting in very few eggs. Conclusions: This result indicates that Z. limonella oil can be used as an effective adulticide, larvicide and oviposition deterrent against Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus.

Effects of foliage extracts of goat weed, Ageratum conyzoides (Family: Asteraceae) on feeding, oviposition and egg hatchability of diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella were assessed under standard laboratory conditions. Bioassays using aqueous, methanol and hexane crude extracts were conducted in no-choice and choice conditions. The larval feeding on 0.5% hexane extract treated leaf surface reduced to more than half relative to control in the choice condition; however, complete inhibition of feeding was recorded at 2% and higher concentration of extract. In no-choice bioassays, the larval feeding consistently decreased with increasing concentration of the hexane extract. Larval feeding on methanol extract treated leaves was also significantly reduced, although in the concentration dependent manner in both choice and no-choice bioassays. Likewise, the aqueous extract also reduced larval feeding at 3%, 4% and 5% concentrations of extracts in both no-choice and choice bioassays. The Antifeedant Index (AFI) for hexane extract was 100 at 2% concentration, while AFI values were 78.4 and 41.5 for 5% concentration of methanol and aqueous extracts, respectively. The egg laying on the leaf surface treated with hexane and methanol extracts was significantly reduced in the concentration dependent manner, as compared to the control in both choice and no-choice bioassays. However, the aqueous extract did not affect egg laying. The egg hatchability was completely inhibited at higher concentrations of the hexane extract, but not at any concentration of the methanol and aqueous extracts. The oviposition Deterrent Index values for the hexane and methanol extracts were statistically similar, however. These results indicate that the crude hexane and methanol extracts of A. conyzoides foliage could potentially be used for the management of diamondback moth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The common grass yellow Eurema mandarina (Pieridae, Coliadinae) widely inhabits Japan, feeds on various fabaceous plants such as silktree (Albizia julibrissin) and uses d‐pinitol, a cyclitol omnipresent in Fabaceae, as a primary oviposition stimulant. However, E. mandarina has a clear host preference within the Fabaceae; for example, white clover (Trifolium repens) is a nonhost despite containing d‐pinitol. The present study aims to identify plant chemicals in white clover that inhibit oviposition of E. mandarina. Females lay very few eggs on T. repens foliage and plastic plant models treated with a methanolic extract of the foliage. The foliage extract is fractionated by successive extraction with chloroform, isobutanol and water. None of these fractions induce egg‐laying responses. The aqueous fraction is further separated into four subfractions (Tr‐3‐1 to Tr‐3‐4) by column chromatography. Among these subfractions, females show high egg‐laying responses to Tr‐3‐1, which is known to contain d‐pinitol. Interestingly, Tr‐3‐2, when mixed with Tr‐3‐1, significantly decreases egg‐laying responses, indicating that it contains oviposition deterrents. Chemical analyses reveal that two cyanogenic glucosides, linamarin and lotaustralin, are the major constituents of Tr‐3‐2. Authentic linamarin does not elicit egg‐laying responses and significantly inhibits female oviposition when mixed with Tr‐3‐1 at the natural concentration. Although these cyanogenic glucosides are reported to synergistically induce oviposition of a coliadine species Colias erate on white clover, we conclude that linamarin acts as an oviposition deterrent for E. mandarina, restricts its host range and regulates their differential host acceptance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The peach fruit fly, Bactrocera zonata S. is a species that can cause important economic losses to various fruit species, with more than 50 host plants. In this study, repellent and oviposition deterrent effects of methanol (Mx), ethanol (Ex) and distilled water (Dx) extracts of moringa bark and leaves, cinnamon, peppermint and ginger were evaluated at different concentrations (10, 20 and 30%) against B. zonata adults. The experiment was carried out by using free choice test. Among all extracts, peppermint (Pm) extracts (Pm-Mx, Pm-Ex and Pm-Dx) delivered important repellent activity at the maximum dosage (30%), i.e. 0.50, 0.75 and 0.50 mean number of adults, respectively; while, the minimum repellent activity was observed in moringa bark of all three extracts. Correspondingly, all extracts have oviposition deterrent effect but Peppermint (Pm) extracts (Pm-Mx, Pm-Ex and Pm-Dx), deliver the best effect. The present investigation revealed that bio-active extracts can be used as alternative cost-effective, safe, and environment-friendly insecticides for the effective management of B. zonata in order to reduce the ecological hazards caused by traditional chemical pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the efficacies of 12 essential oil (EO) formulations from three Zingiberaceae plants (Alpinia galanga, Curcuma zedoaria, and Zingiber cassumunar) individually and in combination with an augmenting Eucalyptus globulus (E. globulus) EO against females of Aedes albopictus (Ae. albopictus) and Anopheles minimus (An. minimus). Methods: These formulations were evaluated for their ovicidal, oviposition deterrent and adulticidal activities against Ae. albopictus and An. minimus by a topical method, a double-choice method and a WHO susceptibility test, respectively. Results: It was found that all formulations of Zingiberaceae plants EOs augmented with E. globulus EO were more effective in oviposition deterrent, ovicidal, and adulticidal activities against the two mosquito species than all of the formulations used without E. globulus EO. Their oviposition deterrent, ovicidal and adulticidal activities were equivalent to those of 10% w/v cypermethrin. In contrast, 70% v/v ethyl alcohol as a control alone was not effective at all. The highest synergistic effect in effective repellency against Ae. albopictus was achieved by 5% Alpinia galanga EO + 5% E. globulus EO and against An. minimus was 5% Zingiber cassumunar EO + 5% E. globulus EO. Moreover, the highest synergistic effects in ovicidal activities against Ae. albopictus and An. minimus were achieved by 10% Zingiber cassumunar EO + 10% E. globulus EO and 5% Curcuma zedoaria EO + 5% E. globulus EO, respectively. For the adulticidal activities, the highest synergistic effect against two mosquitoes was achieved by 5% Curcuma zedoaria EO + 5% E. globulus EO. Conclusions: These results suggest that Zingiberaceae plant EOs augmented with E. globulus EO have a high potential to be developed into oviposition deterrent, ovicidal, and adulticidal agents for controlling populations of Ae. albopictus and An. minimus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twelve fractions from chloroform extract of Clerodendrum phlomidis and 5,7-dihydroxy- 4',6-dimethoxy-flavone (pectolinaringenin) were evaluated against Helicoverpa armigera. Maximum antifeedant (89.41%), larvicidal (83.77%) and ovicidal (69.25%) activities were observed in fraction 5. The least LC50 value for antifeedant (178.09 ppm) and larvicidal (198.23 ppm) were observed in fraction 5. No adult emergence was recorded in fractions 4-6 at 1000 ppm. The oviposition deterrent activity was 100% in fraction 5 at all the concentrations. Pectolinaringenin recorded maximum antifeedant (74.68%) and larvicidal (81.11%) activities at 100 ppm; it completely prevented the adult emergence of H. armigera at 100 ppm. Maximum ovicidal activity at 100 ppm concentration was 67.95%. The oviposition deterrent activity was 100% in 100 and 50 ppm concentrations. C. phlomidis could be effectively used to develop a new formulation to control the economically important pests.

Although numerous reports are available concerning the larvicidal potential of essential oils, very few investigations have focused on their mechanisms of action. In the present study, we have investigated the chemical composition of the leaf oil of Croton rhamnifolioides during storage and its effects on oviposition and survival of larvae of the dengue fever mosquito Aedes aegypti. In addition, we have established a possible mechanism of action for the larvicidal activity of the essential oil. GC-MS analyses revealed marked differences in the composition of oil that had been freshly isolated and that of a sample that had been stored in a sealed amber-glass vial under refrigeration for three years. However, both fresh and stored oil exhibited substantial larvicidal activities with LC50 values of 122.35 and 89.03 ppm, respectively, and oviposition deterrent effects against gravid females at concentrations of 50 and 100 µg·mL−1. These results demonstrate that the larvicidal effect of the essential oil was unchanged during three years of storage even though its chemical composition altered. Hence, the essential oil could be used in the preparation of commercial products. In addition, we observed that the trypsin-like activity of mosquito larvae was inhibited in vitro by the essential oil of C. rhamnifolioides, suggesting that the larvicidal effect may be associated with inhibition of this enzyme.

Abstract: This study assesses the effectiveness of essential oils for repelling whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), and deterring oviposition. We evaluated essential oils from four plants: Curcuma longa (Zingiberaceae), Litsea cubeba (Lauraceae), Piper nigrum (Piperaceae) and Zanthoxylum bungeanum (Rutaceae), under laboratory and glasshouse conditions. In the laboratory, ethanol‐extracted essential oils were applied uniformly on both sides of a tomato leaf in the treatment groups, and the same volume of liquid but without essential oil was used for the control. Results showed that essential oils from L. cubeba, P. nigrum, C. longa and Z. bungeanum provided some repellency of whiteflies and reduced oviposition. Oils from L. cubeba repelled adult females (69.14% and 62.49% repellency at 24 and 48 hr, respectively), and oils from C. longa deterred oviposition (68.46% and 65.94% at 24 and 48 hr exposures, respectively). In the glasshouse, potted tomato plants with eight leaves were sprayed with treatments and control material. Five‐day‐old adult female whiteflies were released in a cage between both pots. Essential oils from L. cubeba repelled females 54.77 at 24 hr and P. nigrum 44.37% at 48 hr whereas oils from P. nigrum reduced oviposition by 43.35 at 24 hr and Z. bungeanum 21.08% at 48 hr, under glasshouse conditions. Essential oils show potential to be used to reduce feeding and oviposition, and thus being important components of integrated pest management programs. However, future research is needed to investigate individual compounds of these oils against whitefly, and to enhance their effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Drosophila suzukii Matsumura is a serious pest of small fruits that lays its eggs in growing fruit. Current management strategies rely on an unsustainable schedule of foliar applications of chemical insecticides. Alternative approaches to suppressing oviposition are under investigation, such as attract-and-kill and the use of oviposition deterrents. Here, we evaluated two behavioral control approaches in combination as a push-pull strategy using laboratory and field assays. RESULTS In laboratory caged assays, both an attractive mass trapping device (pull) and an oviposition deterrent (push: 1-octen-3-ol) reduced oviposition by D. suzukii, and the combination of the two (push-pull) resulted in significantly greater reduction than either treatment alone. In field experiments, oviposition reduction was observed in fruit from plots treated with oviposition deterrent (push) or a combination of mass trapping devices and deterrent (push-pull) compared with fruit from control plots. However, oviposition in plots with mass trapping devices (pull) was higher than observed in all other treatments. Additionally, the protection provided by the deterrent in push plots extended to the entire plot rather than just in fruit closest to deterrent dispensers. CONCLUSION Push-pull treatments negatively affected D. suzukii infestation in both laboratory and field experiments. The reduction in oviposition observed in laboratory experiments was based on the additive effect of push and pull components acting on a finite population, while the reduction observed in field experiments appeared to be mainly based on the effect of pull components. We discuss potential underlying reasons for the discrepancy results and suggest potential improvements. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent decades, several scientists focused their process towards nanoparticles synthesis by using various sustainable approaches.Cocos nucifera(C. nucifera) was one of the versatile trees in tropical regions which also can act as a thrust quencher in all over the world.Cocos nuciferacoir was one of the waste by-products in all coconut-refining industries and with the helpC. nuciferacoir, Palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) were synthesized. Green-synthesized spherical-shape Pd NPs were over layered by secondary metabolites fromC. nuciferacoir extract and with an average particle size of 62 ± 2 nm, which were confirmed by morphological analysis. Eco-friendly mediated Pd NPs were further subjected to several biological applications like larvicidal againstAedes aegypti(A. aegypti) and anti-feedent, ovicidal, and oviposition deterrent against agricultural pestCallasobruchus maculates(C. maculates) and compared withC. nuciferacoir methanolic extract, which results in LC50value of 288.88 ppm and LC90value of 483.06 ppm using LSD-Tukey’s test against dengue vector (A. aegypti).Cocos nuciferacoir methanolic extract shows significant output while compared with Pd NPs towards anti-feedent assays; ovicidal activity and oviposition deterrent were discussed here. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective To evaluate adulticidal, larvicidal and oviposition deterrent response of the essential oil from dried Zanthoxylum limonella ( Z. limonella ) fruit against Aedes aegypti ( Ae. aegypti ) and Culex quinquefasciatus ( Cx. quinquefasciatus ). Methods Z. limonella oil was tested by biological assays at 1%, 5% and 10% concentrations in ethanol. Adulticidal efficacy was tested against the 2–3 day old adult females. Larvicidal activity was tested against immature stage of mosquitoes. Oviposition deterrence of the oil was evaluated on gravid females. Results The adult mortality was observed after 24 h with the LC 50 of 6.0% for Ae. aegypti , and 5.7% for Cx. quinquefasciatus . Larvicidal bioassay was carried out with the 10% Z. limonella oil against immature stages of Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus , which caused 100% mortality after 12 h and 24 h. In the larvicidal experiment, Z. limonella showed effective result at 1%, 5% and 10% concentrations with the values of LT 50   Ae. aegypti = 9.78, 5.61, 0.24 h for larvae and LT 50 = 64.08, 21.23 h for pupae; Cx. quinquefasciatus had LT 50 = 28.46, 20.25, 1.01 h for larvae and LT 50 = 67.52, 27.96, 4.11 h for pupae, respectively. Oviposition deterrence of the oil was evaluated on gravid females. In the study, 10% Z. limonella showed 100% repellency for Ae. aegypti and 99.53% for Cx. quinquefasciatus . Likewise, oviposition activity indexes of these oil concentrations were all negative values ranging from–0.89 to −1.00 for Ae. aegypti and–0.64 to–0.99 for Cx. quinquefasciatus . The oviposition activity indexes values revealed that Z. limonella oil has deterrent effect, and it caused a remarkable negative response resulting in very few eggs. Conclusions This result indicates that Z. limonella oil can be used as an effective adulticide, larvicide and oviposition deterrent against Ae. aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oviposition deterrent is chemical compounds which are used for avoiding eggs deposition. The oviposition deterrent resulted from eggs deposition is valuable information that can be manipulated for managing its population. The objective of this research was to determine the presence of oviposition deterrent resulted by female Bactrocera carambolae on mango. Extraction of oviposition deterrent was conducted by maceration method. The preference test was performed using two arms olfactometer, meanwhile the oviposition deterrent test was conducted by exposed gravid females to fruit that already smeared with extracts. The result revealed that gravid females of B. carambolae were attracted to methanol extract of 1 day after egg deposition, whereas the methanol extract of 3 and 5 days after egg deposition repelled gravid females. Oviposition deterrent test indicated that methanol extract at category 3 and 5 acted as a deterrent. The preference of gravid females of B. carambolae to different category of infested fruit extracts was probably influenced by the chemicals modification on mango after oviposition. This result suggested that the female B. carambolae do not deposit oviposition deterrent. The phenomenon of deterrence was probably as a result of chemical changes in fruit as a consequence of eggs infestation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mosquitoes act as vectors of key pathogens and parasites. Plant essential oils have been recognized as important sources of biopesticides, which do not induce resistance and have limited toxic effects on human health and non-target organisms. In this research, we evaluated the larvicidal and oviposition deterrence activity of Hedychium larsenii essential oil (EO) and its major compounds ar-curcumene and epi-β-bisabolol. Both molecules showed high toxicity against early third instars of Anopheles stephensi (LC 50 =10.45 and 14.68 µg/ml), Aedes aegypti (LC 50 =11.24 and 15.83 µg/ml) and Culex quinquefasciatus (LC 50 =12.24 and 17.27 µg/ml). In addition, low doses of ar-curcumene and epi-β-bisabolol were effective as oviposition deterrents against the three tested mosquito species. Notably, the acute toxicity of H. larsenii oil and its major compounds against the mosquito biocontrol agent Poecilia reticulata was low, with LC 50 higher than 1500 ppm. Overall, the results from this study revealed that ar-curcumene and epi-β-bisabolol from the H. larsenii oil can be considered for the development of novel and effective mosquito larvicides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The potato tuber moth (PTM), Phthorimaea operculella Zeller is an important and ubiquitous pest of potato, Solanum tuberosum L. in both fields and stores in the subtropical and tropical zones. In this study, oviposition deterrent of essential oils of wormwood, yarrow and tarragon was investigated on this pest. The results showed that the number of laid eggs on treated tubers were significantly less than the control tubers. Also, sublethal effects of mentioned essential oils on biological parameters and life table parameters were studied. The results showed that the number of laid eggs in the essential oils of wormwood and yarrow were significantly less than the control. Although results showed that all three essential oils caused significant reduction of the number of hatched eggs compared with control. Also, life expectancy of the pest in the first day of egg stage and at the time of adults emergence in wormwood, yarrow, tarragon and control were 21.61, 25.87, 21.81 and 26.17 days; 10.50, 11.18, 10.60 and 11.46 days, respectively. The results showed that essential oil of wormwood caused reduction of life expectancy of PTM. Therefore, the use of mentioned essential oils in the store environment can be useful against potato tuber moth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mated female moth of the cotton leafworm, S. littoralis laid a total number of 1564.22 eggs during its whole life. In a free choice test, treating N. oleander leaves (as an oviposition site) with an aqueous extracts of neem seed kernel solutions extracted by different organic solvents reduced the number of deposited eggs on it. The lowest number of eggs was recorded when methanol was used for extraction, followed by chloroform, and the highest was, however, obtained after using benzene, butanol and ethyl acetate. The number of deposited eggs decreased as the concentration of any tested neem extract increased to reach the minimum at 0.2%. This means that the most deterred neem seed kernel extract is that which extracted with methanol at the concentration of 0.2%.Hatchability percentage of S. littoralis eggs greatly affected by the type of organic solvents used for neem extraction and the concentration of each extract on treated N. oleander leaves. The lowest hatchability was recorded after using methanol, followed by chloroform.On the other hand, an increase in neem seed kernel extract concentration caused an obvious decrease in egg hatchability.

BACKGROUND Drosophilia suzukii Matsumura is an invasive pest insect that lays its eggs in the fruit of several commercially grown crops. An effective oviposition deterrent could contribute to its management. Repellant odors were evaluated in the laboratory and in the field. RESULTS Geosmin and 1-octen-3-ol were found to be aversive to seven-day-old female D. suzukii at concentrations of 10−1 and 10−2 in laboratory choice tests. Field experiments found that fewer eggs were observed in fruit on the day of harvest and fewer adult D. suzukii were reared from fruit associated with 1-octen-3-ol odors than control fruit in cultivated red raspberry. CONCLUSION Geosmin and 1-octen-3-ol induce aversive behaviors in Drosophila suzukii and are potential oviposition deterrents for its management in fruit crops. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Minufiya Journal of Agricultural Research is the property of Egyptian National Agricultural Library (ENAL) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Neem tree (Azadirachta indica) is broadly recognized as a plant that has some biological activities against some insect pests. This research aimed to investigate the activity of water, methanol and n-hexane neem leaves extracts on oviposition of B. carambolae. The results revealed that all the extracts tested have the potential as oviposition deterrents against B. carambolae, but n-hexane extract was the most oviposition deterrent among them. It was indicated by its consistency on the deterring oviposition for all concentrations tested. n-Hexane extract at concentration of 1,000; 2,500 and 5,000 ppm deterred B. carambolae oviposition with oviposition activity index (OAI) of -0.76, -0.87 and -0.51, respectively. Based on olfactometry test, the mechanism of neem leaves extracts in protecting fruits from eggs deposition by B. carambolae was most likely by deterrence mechanism rather than repellency. The main compound found in the n-hexane extracts was nonacosane. This results contributes in obtaining a safe tool for controlling B. carambolae, by spraying the fruits whether with the n-hexane extract of neem leaves or with nonacosan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oviposition deterrent effects of four phenolic compounds (quercetin, rutin, gallic acid and tannic acid) were investigated against the melon fruit fly, Bactrocera cucurbitae. All the phenolic compounds effectively reduced egg laying in choice and nochoice conditions except rutin. Also observations made for their effect on ovipunctures made by female melon fly showed a significant decrease in the mean numbers of ovipunctures made on the substrate treated with quercetin, gallic acid and tannic acid under choice and multiple-choice tests. Rutin had no effect on oviposition behaviour under no-choice condition. Under multiple choice conditions rutin significantly reduced mean number of ovipunctures. The results of our studies clearly demonstrated the oviposition deterrent activity of the phenolic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential oil of Cananga odorata flowers was evaluated for oviposition-deterrent, ovicidal, insecticidal, and repellent activities toward three mosquito species: Aedes aegypti, Anopheles dirus, and Culex quinquefasciatus. Oviposition deterrence of the oil was evaluated on gravid females using oviposition deterrence bioassay. The results showed that 10 % Ca. odorata exhibited high percent effective repellency against oviposition at 99.4 % to Ae. aegypti, 97.1 % to An. dirus, and 100 % to Cx. quinquefasciatus. Ca. odorata oil was tested for ovicidal activity. Regression equations revealed that the ovicidal rates were positively correlated with the concentrations of the essential oil. As the concentration of essential oil increased from 1, 5, and up to 10 % concentration, the ovicidal rate increased accordingly. Larvicidal activity of the oils was used on immature stages (third and fourth instar lavae and pupae). The maximum larval mortality was found with 10 % Ca. odorata against immature stages, and there were LC values ranged from 10.4 to 10.5 % (for Ae. aegypti), <1 % (for An. dirus), and <1 % (for Cx. quinquefasciatus). Adulticidal properties were evaluated with unfed females. Ten percent Ca. odorata oil had high knockdown rates against the three mosquito species at 96 % (for Ae. aegypti), 98.4 % (for An. dirus), and 100 % (for Cx. quinquefasciatus), with EC values of 6.2, 4.7, and 5.4 %, respectively. It gave moderate mortality rates after 24 and 48 h of exposure. Ca. odorata oil was assessed for repellency to females by using the modified K&D module. Ten percent Ca. odorata oil gave the strongest value against Ae. aegypti, An. dirus, and Cx. quinquefasciatus, with percentage repellency of 66, 92, and 90 %, respectively. This study demonstrates the potential for the essential oil of Ca. odorata essential oil to be used as a botanical insecticide against three mosquito species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cowpea beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricus) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a major pest of stored cowpea militating against food security in developing nations. The comparative study of Xylopia aethiopica and Aframomum melegueta powder in respect to their phytochemical and insecticidal properties against C. maculatus was carried out using a Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with five treatments (0, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5g/20g cowpea seeds corresponding to 0.0, 0.05, 0.075, 0.1 and 0.13% v/w) replicated thrice under ambient laboratory condition (28±2°C temperature and 75±5% relative humidity). The phytochemical screening showed the presence of flavonoids, saponins, tannins, cardiac glycoside in both plants, while alkaloids was present in A. melegueta and absent in X. aethiopica. The mortality of C. maculatus increased gradually with exposure time and dosage of the plant powders. X. aethiopica caused 75.15% adult mortality and A. meleguta exerted 85% mortality at 120 hrs post infestation. Maximum oviposition deterrent activity was observed with X. aethiopica (54.26%) compared to A. melegueta (51.32%). Conclusively, both plants showed highly useful bioactivity against C. maculatus in suppressing oviposition and adult emergence and, therefore, can be used in formulating ecofriendly herbal insecticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Larvicidal oils can be used to control immature Aedes aegypti and other pestiferous mosquitoes. To test whether oil-based larvicides also act as oviposition deterrents, indoor and semi-field trials were conducted at the Navy Entomology Center of Excellence in Jacksonville, FL. In both studies, treatment cages consisted of oviposition cups lined with seed germination paper as an oviposition substrate and filled with 1-wk-old southern live oak ( Quercus virginiana) leaf litter-infused water. Treatment cages consisted of 2 cups treated with CocoBear™ Mosquito Larvicidal Oil, while 2 cups were untreated. Control cages contained oviposition cups with only oak leaf litter-infused water. Gravid Ae. aegypti were released into cages and allowed to oviposit for 24 h, after which eggs were counted. The number of eggs deposited in treatment and control cages was not significantly different (indoor P = 0.0865; outdoor P = 0.9765). However, the number of eggs deposited in untreated cups was significantly greater than that deposited in treated cups within treatment cages (indoor P < 0.0001; outdoor P = 0.0050). These results suggest that the presence of the larvicidal oil CocoBear may cause gravid female Ae. aegypti to seek alternative oviposition sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetranychus cinnabarinus (Boisduval) is highly polyphagous and is considered one of the most important crop pests, infesting over 100 crop species grown in field and greenhouse crops worldwide. The control of this mite is still based primarily on the use of synthetic chemical pesticides. In this study, 2,4-di- tert-butylphenol (DTBP) and ethyl oleate (EO) were investigated for their acaricidal, repellent, and oviposition-deterrent properties against T. cinnabarinus under laboratory conditions. Both DTBP and EO exhibited significantly adulticidal, larvicidal, and ovicidal activities against T. cinnabarinus in a concentration-dependent manner after treatment, with LC values of 1,256.51, 625.39, and 743.64 ppm for DTBP and 1,621.57, 859.25, and 987.26 ppm for EO, respectively. The mites exhibited the highest run-off rate on bean leaf surfaces sprayed with both DTBP and EO when applied at sub-lethal doses and moved toward surfaces that had not been sprayed with these compounds, according to Pearson's χ test. Furthermore, not only in a choice assay but also in a no-choice assay, a significant difference was found using an ANOVA between the numbers of eggs laid on bean leaves that were sprayed with DTBP and EO at sub-lethal doses compared to the number laid on unsprayed bean leaves. Additionally, stability assays revealed that EO was more sensitive to environmental factors than DTBP. These results demonstrate that the two compounds DTBP and EO have potential for development as new, natural acaricides for controlling carmine spider mites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organophosphate pesticides are widely used in vector mosquito management and agricultural pest management. These chemicals enter into natural water bodies and soil and cause hazards to the environment. The objective of this study was to prepare a natural pesticide which will not harm the environment and yet control vector mosquitoes. PONNEEM, a novel biopesticide, patented and prepared from the oils of Azadirachta indica and Pongamia glabra, was tested against Anopheles stephensi and Culex quinquefasciatus. One hundred percent larvicidal and ovicidal activities were observed at 0.1-ppm concentration of PONNEEM against the two mosquito species under laboratory and sunlight conditions up to 12 months from the date of manufacture. Very high oviposition reduction of 26.46 and 32.16 % is also recorded. Reductions in α-esterase level (0.0818 ± 0.340 and 0.2188 ± 0.003), β-esterase level (0.0866 ± 0.026 and 0.0398 ± 0.010 μg naphthol produced/min/mg larval protein), glutathione S-transferase enzyme (14.2571 ± 0.51 and 15.3326 ± 0.51 μmol/min/mg larval protein) and total protein levels (0.0390 ± 0.008 and 0.1975 ± 0.029 mg/individual larva in treated groups of A. stephensi and C. quinquefasciatus at 0.1-ppm concentration, respectively. The non-target organisms such as Gambusia affinis and Diplonychus indicus were not affected. Biopesticides are good alternatives to synthetic pesticides. PONNEEM can be effectively used for the management of human vector mosquitoes. Since it has a biodegradable nature and does not alter the environmental condition of water and soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]