Seletividade de extratos vegetais de agave sisalana sobre euborellia annulipes (dermaptera: anisolabididae)

Abstract

The use of plant extracts has gained considerable prominence among pest control methods, as these are a viable alternative to the chemical control method because they do not cause environmental contamination, are harmless to humans and animals, and do not leave residues in food. The species Agave sisalana has been demonstrating its great potential as an insecticide plant in the control of several pests, including Lepidoptera and Diptera. However, despite its many benefits, studies are needed aimed at selectivity in beneficial insects such as the earwig Euborellia annulipes. The objective of this research was to evaluate the influence of ethanolic and aqueous extracts of A. sisalana applied topically and by ingestion on specimens of E. annulipes. The research was carried out at the Laboratory of Invertebrates of the Department of Biosciences of the Center for Agricultural Sciences (CCA) of the Federal University of Paraíba (UFPB), Campus II, Areia - PB, under controlled conditions (temperature: 25 ± 1 °C; relative humidity: 70 ± 10%; photophase: 12 hours). The ethanolic and aqueous extracts produced from leaves of A. sisalana were evaluated, which were applied topically and by ingestion in eggs of Spodoptera frugiperda, being also offered to nymphs and adults of E. annulipes. The following parameters were evaluated: mortality, morphology and reproduction. Under laboratory conditions, the ethanolic extract applied topically caused a higher mortality, being higher in the first instars; and the aqueous extract was harmless to these individuals. The ethanolic extract applied topically causes an increase in the nymphal period and also a lengthening of the duration of the instars. The aqueous extract of A. sisalana proves to be selective at a concentration of 10% for individuals. Both extracts applied via ingestion cause low mortality, being harmless to E. annulipes.