Towards a development of novel bioinsecticides for organic control of Planococcus ficus in vineyards

J. A. ZYGADLO

VITIS

JKI-INSTITUT REBENZUCHTUNG

Año: 2020

0042-7500

he mealybug species, Planococcus ficus Signoret (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a pest that mainly affects grapevine plantations (Vitis vinifera L.), causing huge economic losses in the world. The numerous problems caused by the use of synthetic pesticides on the environment and human health have motivated the development and implementation of natural pesticides. The objective of this work was to develop effective and efficient contact bioinsecticide formulations for the control of P. ficus in vineyards. Anti-mealybug formulations were developed using (R)-(+)-pulegone as an active principle, TWEEN® 20 and soy lecithin powder as surfactants, and limonene and diatomaceous earth (DE) as insect waxy layer reducers. The insecticidal properties of formulations against vine mealybugs and their grapevine leaf phytotoxicity were evaluated in laboratory conditions. Pulegone+DE+Lecithin and Pulegone+Limonene+DE+Lecithin formulations showed the highest mortality rates of P. ficus (more than 70 % m