Screening of botanicals for insecticidal property against pink mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Green) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Abstract

The insecticidal activity of 10 per cent aqueous extract of 46 plant species was evaluated against the pink, grape or hibiscus mealybug, Maconellicoccus hirsutus using atomization method. The per cent mortality ranged between 0.0 to 96.7 at 24 hours after exposure (HAE) and 0.0 to 98.3 at 48 and 72 HAE. Calotropis gigantea showed the highest mortality i.e. 96.7, 98.3 and 98.3% at 24, 48 and 72 HAE, respectively which was statistically superior to rest of the plants. It was followed by Ricinus communis, Helicteres isora, Centella asiatica, Spathodea campanulata, Colocasia esculenta, Ocimum tenuiflorum, Curcuma longa, and Piper nigrum which also showed potential in managing pink mealybugs.