Attenuating strategies of the Insecticidal Effect and Life history Traits of Chaitophorus leucomelas (Koch, 1854) (Insecta: Aphididae): Case of the Aqueous Extracts of Asteraceae Dittrichia viscosa and a Synthetic product of the neonicotinoids / pyrethroids Family

Abstract

Methods used to control natural enemies; insects in particular, have been mainly chemical. Given the irritations associated with the use of pesticides, a search for alternatives is required, particularly through the use of plant extracts. The present study focused on comparing the insecticidal power of aqueous extracts of Dittrichia viscosa in combination with a bio-adjuvant Silene fuscata and a synthetic pesticide Thiamethoxam/ Lambda-cyhalothrin on the abundance, biochemical life traits and demographic parameters of the winter phenotype of Chaitophorus leucomelas. The results show a strong effect of the aqueous extracts of Dittrichia viscosa on the abundance of Chaitophorus leucomelas, with a well pronounced insecticidal activity under the effect of the aqueous extract ratio Dittrichia viscosa/Silena fuscata. Lipid and carbohydrate energy biomarkers of Chaitophorus leucomelas sexuparae undergo strong changes depending on the products used, with a very significant disturbing action of the synthetic product compared to aqueous extracts. The fecundity of C. leucomelas shows a remarkable disturbance under the action of the active ingredient Thiamethoxam/ Lambda-cyhalothrin compared to aqueous extracts. The results also confirm that the products applied cause a disturbance in the growth rate (rm) and reproduction (R0) of C. leucomelas females, with the chemical treatment having the strongest effect. The full dose of the active ingredient causes remarkable disturbances on the multiplication rate (λ) and the mean generation time (T) of the sexuparae compared to the other applied molecules. Some stability is reported for the doubling time (DT) of treated females compared to the control ones.