TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION FOR Eucepes postfasciatus CONTROL BY USING REPELLENT COMPOUND PREPARED FROM PLANTS ESSENTIAL OILS.

Abstract

Among the biotic factors which can strongly interfere on sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam., Concolvulaceae) productivity we have the weevil Eucepes postfasciatus [(Fair., 1849) (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)]. The main aim of this paper was to develop a management system of this pest based on control through innovation technology by using essential oil with repellence features (BiProtec). This work was carried out at LECOM lab (Arthropod Ecology and Behaviour Lab) in CECA/UFAL (Center for Agricultural Sciences). The insect growing system started with weevils collected from infested roots and kept in laboratory conditions (25±2°C; 60±10% RH) and photoperiod of 12h. The whole system was placed in 500mL transparent plastic pots containing sweet potato roots checked every three days. In the experiments we used the BiProtec paste, looking like a thick greenish cream produced by GEMPRO (Laboratory of Genomics, Molecular Genetics & Proteomics) from CECA/UFAL. The analysis of insect non-attractiveness for feeding and oviposition behaviour related to the oil compound was performed and compared to non-treated plants used as checks. Adults insects were placed in double choice test arenas in the same conditions for both checks & treatments, where gradually the repellent compound would be tested. The evaluation of non-preference/antixenosis occurred for three days straight. The insects found in soil, leaves, branches, roots and also in the arena were classified and registered. The experiments followed the randomized blocks design with two treatments, three evaluations and five repetitions, each one comprised by 10 insects. The data were submitted to variance analysis and means comparisons test (Tukey’s Range Test) by using SISVAR software. The results showed that the BiProtec acted as an efficient repellent with statistically significance on E. postfasciatus adults for up 48h.