Effect of pongam oil on adults of the greenhouse whitefly trialeurodes vaporariorum (Homoptera : Trialeurodidae)

摘要

The aim of this study was to test the effects of pongam oil from the Indian beech tree, Pongamia pinnata (Linnaeus) Pierre, on whiteflies (Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westwood 1856). Three experiments were conducted on chrysanthemum plants: (a) a choice test with treated and untreated plants; (b) a no-choice test; and (c), direct treatments oil adult whiteflies on plants. All experiments were run under greenhouse conditions in insect proof-cages. The choice and no-choice test were evaluated after the 4th, 8(th) and 12(th) day after the treatment with different concentrations of pongam oil suspension (2.0%, 1.0% and 0.5%). The number of adult whiteflies and the number of eggs per leaf were evaluated. Pongam oil treatments reduced both, the number of adult whiteflies and eggs on the chrysanthemum plants. Generally, this effect declined over time and was weaker for the lower than for the higher concentrations. Pongam oil may be considered as a promising preparation for greenhouse plant protection.