Insectes ravageurs et propriétés biocides de Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) : synthèse bibliographique

Abstract

Insect pests and biocidal properties of Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae). A review. Jatropha curcas is a Euphorbiaceae shrub widely distributed in many tropical countries. Its seeds are rich in oil that can be used as biofuel in modified diesel engines. Several insect species, mainly belonging to Hemiptera, Coleoptera and Orthoptera, have been referenced as insect pests of J. curcas. These insects attack the plant and cause damage to fruits, inflorescences and leaves. The most frequently observed pests belong to the genus Pachycoris (Heteroptera: Scutelleridae), which are widely distributed in Mexico, Australia, United States of America, Brazil and Nicaragua. Pachycoris spp. cause significant damage to the fruits, leading to the malformation of seeds and a reduction in their oil content. Although Jatropha shrubs are subjected to insect infestations, the oil has been shown to demonstrate biocidal activity, including insecticidal effects against several insect pests, including Busseola fusca (Fuller) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Sesamia calamistis Hampson (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), Aphis gossypii Glover (Homoptera: Aphididae) and Callosobruchus chinensis L. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae). In the present paper, we summarize the work carried out on inventories of J. curcas insect pests as well as on the biocidal activity of its oil.

Keywords

• Jatropha curcas
• Insecta
• pest insects
• beneficial organisms
• pesticides