Studies on evaluation of some adjuvants against Phenacoccus solenopsis under laboratory conditions

Abstract

Mealybugs (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) are important insect pests in worldwide. Among different organic solvents tested for wax removal of P. solenopsis, hexane at 20 ml per litre recorded the highest per cent of wax removal (52.27 per cent) and among the natural oils, lemongrass oil at 20 ml per litre recorded the highest per cent of wax removal (63.58 per cent) followed by citronella oil (59.12 per cent of wax removal). After combining these oils (lemongrass oil and citronella oil, sweet flag oil), castor soap and custard apple powder with hexane against P. solenopsis, revealed that lemongrass oil combined with hexane at 20.0 ml per litre recorded the highest per cent removal of wax (71.36 per cent), followed by citronella oil mixed with hexane at 20.0 ml per litre recorded the highest per cent removal of wax (69.90 per cent).