Neem oil based formulation is effective for the management of whitefly, Aleurocanthus arecae David & Manjunatha and wax scale, Chrysomphalus aonidum (Linnaeaus) on arecanut

Abstract

The efficacy of different insecticides were evaluated against whitefly, Aleurocanthus arecae David & Manjunatha (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) and wax Scale, Chrysomphalus aonidum (Linnaeaus) (Hemiptera: Diaspididae) in arecanut during 2019-2020 at two different locations. Among the different insecticides tested for the management of A. arecae and C. aonidum, the neem oil based formulation 10,000ppm @ 2ml/l showed maximum per cent reduction against the whiteflies (72.92) and wax scales (81.60). This treatment was followed by chlorpyriphos 20 EC (62.09 %) for whiteflies and dimethoate 30 EC (66.51 %) for wax scales compared to other treatments. Considering that arecanut palms require high insecticidal solution to drench the foliage, inflorescence/nuts, the results provide important insight to use this economically viable insecticide to avoid negative environmental impact.