Efficacy of certain botanicals against cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis L. (Pseudococcidae: Hemiptera) on Okra

Abstract

Okra, (Abelmoschus esculentus), herbaceous hairy annual plant of the family Malvaceae and its edible fruit. Currently, a mealy bug species, Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), has emerged as a major pest of Okra in the recent decades. The present study with methanol and ethanol leaf extracts of botanicals namely Andrographis panicilata and Eucalyptus globulus and were tested for biocidal and repellence property against P. Solenopsis in laboratory conditions against the test insect in different concentrations (1%, 2%, 4%, 8% and 10%). The 10% methanol leaf extracts of Andrographis panicilata and Eucalyptus globulus has shown the mortality of 100% and 96.08% respectively. In concern with repellency the methanol and ethanol leaf extract of Andrographis panicilata has given 99.02% and 97.73% repellence effect respectively.