Acaricidal effects of methyl benzoate against Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) on common crop plants
2020
Mostafiz, Md Munir | Shim, Jae‐Kyoung | Hwang, Hwal‐Su | Bunch, Heeyoun | Lee, Kyeong‐Yeoll
BACKGROUND: Methyl benzoate (MB) is a small, hydrophobic organic compound isolated from the freshwater fern Salvinia molesta (Salviniales: Salviniaceae). It is used as a fragrance and flavor enhancer owing to its pleasant smell. It has also demonstrated potential as a green pesticide for various groups of insects. However, its effects on mites are yet to be studied. RESULTS: Here, we assessed the acaricidal and repellent effects of MB against the two‐spotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae), under laboratory and greenhouse conditions. MB demonstrated concentration‐dependent contact toxicity against eggs and adults of the mite. A leaf‐dipping assay using 1% MB prevented the hatching of 92.7% of eggs and killed 100% of adults within 48 h of treatment. Concentration–mortality statistics were subjected to probit analysis, and the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) values for eggs and adults were 0.25% and 0.5%, respectively. Treatment with 1% MB showed the highest mortality (100%), with a median lethal time (LT₅₀) estimated of 8.1 h. The efficacy of MB against adults of T. urticae on tomato plants under greenhouse conditions was 97.5% within 96 h post‐treatment. Further, MB showed significant repellent activity against adult females of T. urticae, although this declined with time. Spraying with 1% MB (three times per plant) was not phytotoxic to bean, cucumber, pepper, or tomato plants. CONCLUSION: MB is highly acaricidal and repellent, but not phytotoxic, and is a promising green pesticide.
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