ABSTRACT
Control of the vegetable leafminer is essential in areas of melon production in the states of Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará, Brazil. The aim of this study therefore, was to evaluate the effect of different concentrations of aqueous neem seed extract (Azadirachta indica) on the leafminer (Liriomyza sativae). The experiment was carried out in a completely randomised design, comprising seven treatments: control (distilled water), positive control (Vertimec® 1.8 EC insecticide - Abamectin), and five concentrations of aqueous neem seed extract (1, 5, 10, 15 and 20 g 100 mL-1 distilled water), with 10 replications (melon plants). The treatments were applied by spraying with a hand sprayer. Evaluation was divided into two stages for each treatment, larval mortality being recorded in the first and pupal mortality in the second. Increased larval and pupal mortality inL. sativae was found with increasing concentrations of the aqueous neem seed extract. Concentrations of 15 and 20 g 100 mL-1 of the extract caused 91 and 91.8% larval mortality with 89.7 and 90.6% control efficiency respectively. All the concentrations tested caused significant pupal mortality in the surviving larvae, especially the concentrations of 5, 10, 15 and 20 g 100 mL-1, with 99.4, 100, 100 and 100% mortality respectively.
Key words:
Cucumis melo; Leafminer; Insect pests; Azadirachta indica; Integrated pest management
