Toxicity and repellence of aqueous and ethanolic extracts from Schinus molle on elm leaf beetle Xanthogaleruca luteola

Abstract

Extracts of leaves of Schinus molle Rev L. (Anacardiaceae) obtained with water or ethanol as solvents were evaluated in the laboratory for their insecticidal effect on adults of the elm leaf beetle, Xanthogaleruca luteola Müller (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), at 2.5, 3.0, 4.3, and 5.6% w/v for the aqueous extracts and, 2.0, 2.5, 3.5, 4.3, and 4.7% w/v for the ethanol extracts. The extracts were applied onto leaves of elm trees (Ulmus sp., Ulmaceae) to observe the feeding of adults, and later their effectiveness and to obtain the LC50. Both extracts were effective and caused mortalities greater than 97% with the ethanol extract at the two highest concentrations (4.3 and 4.7% w/v), and near 27% with water at 4.3 and 5.6% w/v. The LC50 of the ethanol extract, calculated through Probit analysis, was 1.88% w/v on the 2nd day, lower than the LC50 of 8.52% w/v on the 4th day achieved by the aqueous extract. Additionally, the antifeeding effect of both extracts on adults was determined. The aqueous extract inhibited feeding completely (100%), whereas the ethanol extract did not cause any antifeeding effect.