Bioactivity of Usher (Calotropis procera Ait.) Aqueous Extract Against Cotton Mealy Bug (Phenacoccus solenopsis) (Homoptera: Pseudococcidae)

Abstract

The experiments were conducted in the Laboratory of Entomology and Agricultural Zoology, Department of Plant Protection, College of Agricultural Studies (Shambat), Sudan University of Science and Technology (SUST).The aim of this study is to evaluate the bioactivity of Ushar (Calotropis procera(aqueous extract against cotton mealy bug (Phenacoccus solenopsis) and other synergistic materials (sesame oil and Agral®) under laboratory condition. In this experiment four different concentrations (2.5 %, 5 %, 7.5% and 10 %) were used. Three treatments were evaluated; Usher aqueous extract alone, Ushar plus Agral® (Alkyl Phenol ethylene oxide) and Ushar plus sesame oil. Each concentration was replicated four times and the mortality % was recorded after 1day, 2 days, and 3days post treatment. The statistical analysis showed that there are significant differencse between the different treatments and control. The results approved that Ushar aqueous extract had insecticidal activity against cotton mealy bug (Phenacoccus solenopsis) especially when mixed with sesame oil and Agral® substance and both of them posed a synergistic action. Therefore this botanical extract can be one of the promising alternative bio-insecticides in the future.