Toxicity of garlic extract on Spined soldier bug, Podisus maculiventris (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) in comparison to its two hosts

Abstract

The toxicity of garlic is confirmed on some agricultural pests. The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the sensitivity of Podisus maculiventris (Say) to garlic extract and two insect pests: Mediterranean flour moth Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) and Colorado potato beetle Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). LC50 was calculated at 8.02% for E. kuehniella. The results showed toxic compounds in garlic extract delayed all developmental stages and reproduction parameters of L. decemlineata. In contrast, there were no considerable negative effects on many of the biological parameters of the predatory insect, P. maculiventris. The results suggest that garlic, as a green pesticide, could be considered an environmentally suitable alternative in pest management programs.

Keywords

• allium sativum
• biological control agent
• botanical pesticide
• ephestia kuehniella
• leptinotarsa decemlineata