Effect of alternative chemical treatments on the Diaphania spp. (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) control in cucumber - DOI: 10.4025/actasciagron.v29i3.274

Abstract

The pickleworms Diaphania nitidalis and D. hyalinata are important pests of cucumber, damaging the canopy of the plants. In general, insecticides with high toxicity and low selectivity to natural enemies are used to control this pest. The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of alternative chemical treatments on the control of pickleworms in cucumber. The evaluated treatments were: 1 – Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki (Dipel PM^®); 2 –Neem oil (Dalneem^®), 3 – Chinaberry seeds extract (Melia azedarach); 4 – Chinaberry leaves extract; 5 – Prunus sellowii and Capsicodendron dinisii leaves extract; 6 – Control (without application). Four applications of the alternative treatments were made at seven days interval. The evaluation of pest damages was carried out seven days after the fourth application. The biological insecticide Dipel PM^® showed the higher control efficiency, reducing damages in buds (33.3%) and fruits (25.9%). The neem oil (Dalneem^®) and the extracts of seeds and leaves of M. azedarch and leaves of P. sellowii + Capsicodendron dinisii had the same performance in relation to the control.