Eficácia de óleos vegetais, composto majoritário e emulsões no manejo de neoleucinodes elegantalis guenée, 1854 (lepidoptera: crambidae)

Abstract

Sustainable agricultural pest management is an essential strategy to reduce environmental impacts and the risks associated with the intensive use of synthetic chemical insecticides, especially in tomato cultivation, which is severely affected by the tomato fruit borer, Neoleucinodes elegantalis Guenée (1854) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae). This pest can cause severe production losses, making it a priority for the development of alternative management strategies. Vegetable oils, derived from plant secondary metabolites, exhibit properties that can induce mortality in various organisms, making them promising for pest control, although their effectiveness is limited by volatilization and degradation under field conditions. This study investigated the efficacy of garlic, soursop, and neem vegetable oils, as well as the major compound D-Limonene, both individually and in combination, as well as in emulsified formulations containing all these compounds, for controlling N. elegantalis. Laboratory bioassays were conducted with eggs and first-instar larvae of N. elegantalis, using 2% dilutions in a 0.05% Tween® 80 PS solution. Additionally, emulsions at 15% and 20% concentrations were tested under greenhouse conditions. Mortality rates of eggs and first-instar larvae subjected to spraying were evaluated. The results indicated insecticidal efficacy, with emulsified formulations standing out due to their increased stability and persistence, promoting larval mortality above 50% in greenhouse conditions. The combination of vegetable oils and the major compound proved to be a promising approach for integrated pest management, reducing reliance on synthetic chemical insecticides and promoting more sustainable agricultural practices