Toxicity and oviposition repellency of commercial plant extracts on the parasitoid Anagyrus tristis (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21829/azm.2026.4212812Keywords:
Phenacoccus madeirensis, extracts of plants, Parasitism, Biological controlAbstract
Chemical control has been the most used method for controlling mealybugs, which has led to resistance in some species and can affect the beneficial fauna. Biological control in combination with plant extracts, represents a more sustainable alternative. Anagyrus tristis is a parasitoid of Phenacoccus madeirensis in Mexico and could be a potential biological control agent. The objective of this study was to evaluate the lethal effects and oviposition repellency of six commercial plant extracts on A. tristis under laboratory conditions using three application methodologies; spraying (direct lethal toxicity), feeding (oral toxicity) and oviposition repellency. The results of lethal and oral toxicity were classified according to the criteria established by the International Organization for Biological Control (IOBC) for laboratory bioassays. In the direct toxicity bioassay, marigold (Tagetes spp.), chicalote (Argemone mexicana) and epazote (Chenopodium ambrosioides), extracts were slightly toxic (>30%), while cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), neem (Azadirachta indica) and garlic (Allium sativum), extracts were harmless in the parasitoid (mortalities between 18 and 26%). In the oral toxicity tests all extracts were classified as harmless (mortality < 30%). In the repellency tests, all extracts resulted in a significant reduction in oviposition (>50%) compared to the control. In conclusion, marigold, epazote, and chicalote extracts had a greater effect on A. tristis mortality than cinnamon, neem, and garlic extracts. The results suggest that cinnamon, neem, and garlic extracts can be incorporated alongside the use of parasitoids in management of this mealybug, due to their rapid degradation and low persistence in the environment. However, greenhouse and field trials should be conducted to explore their integration into a system of integrated pest management.
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