EFFECTIVENESS OF THE BIOINSETICIDE ACTION OF MICROENCAPSULATED EXTRACTS OF Annona muricata IN LABORATORY

Abstract

The diamondback moth is the main pest of the Brassicas worldwide, as it presents characteristics that favor its spread as a short biological cycle and ability to develop resistance to chemical insecticides. Developing alternative control methods for an integrated management plan for the species is necessary to increase the worldwide productivity of Brassicas. The purpose of this research was to evaluate a microencapsulated natural insecticide formulation based on ethanolic seed extract of Annona muricata L. (Annonaceae) for the control of Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae) caterpillars. The experiment and rearing of P. xylostella were carried out at the Entomology Laboratory: Alternative Pest Control, at the Center for Agricultural Sciences, Federal University of Alagoas, Rio Largo, AL, in order to produce and compare the efficiency of the microencapsulated soursop formulation (0.08%) with crude ethanolic extract (0.08%).The microencapsulated formulation was made at the Pharmacy Laboratory from 15 mL organic extract, 50 mL PA ethyl alcohol and 50 mL milli-q water, mixed and then added to the 20% arabic gum, 15% starch mixture and 40% maltodextrin calculated from the weight of solid contained in 1 mL of the extract. After the tests it was found that the microencapsulated extract showed efficiency above 90% in pest control, a result that did not differ statistically from the crude extract. It can be concluded that the work presented satisfactory results as the microencapsulation technique did not alter the insecticidal capacity of the crude extract of A. muricata seeds showing great efficiency as a natural insecticide and a promising alternative for P. xylostella control.