Melia azedarach

Influences the Predatory Capacity of Chrysoperla externa

Abstract

Plants such as cinnamon (Melia azedarach) present secondary metabolites with insecticidal effect, of antibiosis or antixenose on insects. Species of the Chrysopidae family are predators of aphids, lepidopteran eggs and small caterpillars. The effect of the extract of leaves of M. azedarach on the predatory capacity of external Chrysoperla was evaluated. 0.5 cm long Diatraea saccharalis caterpillars were isolated in Petri dishes and sprayed with extracts containing different concentrations of Cinnamon: T1: (Witness) sterilized distilled water (ADE); T2: Alcohol and ADE; T3: Aqueous; T4: Hydroalcoholic. After the application of the treatments, a larvae of C. externa per plate was released, which were sealed and conditioned in B.O.D at 25 ± 1 ° C, RH of ± 70% and photophase of 12 hours. The experimental design was completely randomized with 5 replicates containing 5 larvae of green lacewing. The predatory capacity and weight were evaluated in 24 and 48 hours after the application of the treatments, besides the viability of the 1st instar. For the predatory capacity and weight, there was a significant difference between treatments at 24 hours after application: T1 (7.20, 0.003), T2 (4.80, 0.001), T3 (4.80, 0.001), T4 4.60 and 0.001), respectively. In 48 hours only T4 differed from the other treatments for predatory capacity and weight. For larval viability there was no significant difference. The T4 reduced the predata capacity of 1st instar larvae of C. externa. There were no effects of the extracts on the viability of the instar larvae.