Insecticidal activity of Baccharis essential oils against Duponchelia fovealis, toxicity to strawberry leaves, and in vitro biocompatibility with entomopathogenic fungi

ABSTRACT

Duponchelia fovealis is responsible for great losses in the strawberry production, and entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are an alternative to control this larva. They can be used in combination with other natural compounds with insecticidal activity, such as plant extracts or essential oils (EOs). Thus, our objectives are to evaluate the effects of Baccharis dracunculifolia and Baccharis uncinella EOs on strawberry leaves and third instar larvae of D. fovealis, and to evaluate their in vitro compatibility with strains of Beauveria bassiana and Cordyceps javanica. EOs were not phytotoxic to strawberry leaves at 2% v/v. Larval mortality ranged between 48% and 83% at 1% and 2%, and B. dracunculifolia EO at 2% presented the higher mortality. EO of B. uncinella (BU) at 1% was compatible with two strains of B. bassiana and C. javanica. Therefore, the combined use of BU EO with EPF may be an alternative to control D. fovealis.

KEYWORDS:

• Biological control
• bioactive plants
• European pepper moth
• Beauveria bassiana
• Cordyceps javanica

Acknowledgments

We are thankful to Dr Wanderlei do Amaral, Dr Roger Raupp Cipriano and Dr Maria Aparecida Zawadneak.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Authors’ contributions

RCZ and CGP designed the experiment. CMBM, RCZ, TSL, LPM and AMB collected the data. CMBM, RCZ and CGP analyzed the data. ICP provided funding. CMBM and CGP wrote the original draft. RCZ, TSL and ICP contributed to subsequent drafts. All authors reviewed and approved the final version.

Data availability statement

Data will be made available on request.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and National Council for the Improvement of Higher Education (CAPES).