The insecticidal effect of aqueous extract of twigs, leaves, fresh fruits and ripe fruits of Melia azedarach L. and twigs, leaves and cortex of Trichilia pallida Swartz was evaluated on eggs and nymphs of silverleaf whitefly Bemisia tabaci (Genn.) biotype B reared on tomato plants. The extracts were tested at the concentration of 3% (w/v). In the first experiment, the extracts were applied only on the egg stage. In the second experiment, the extracts were applied on eggs and 3-day old nymphs. Independent experiments were carried out for each plant species. The parameters evaluated were mortality and duration of egg and nymphal stages. Concerning M. azedarach, fresh fruits were the most effective plant structure followed by leaves and ripe fruits. For T. pallida, twigs were the most effective structure followed by leaves. The extract of twigs of M. azedarach and cortex of T. pallida did not show significant insecticidal activity. None of the plant extracts affected the duration of the immature stages.
Insecta; Melia azedarach; Trichilia pallida; botanical insecticide
