Efficacy of some plant extracts against mealybugs on cacao

Abstract

Mealybugs, Planococcus sp. (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae), are the secondary pest on the cacao plant. However, this pest often infested cacao shoots in the nursery and causes the death of the seedling. Pest control efforts use existing materials plants in Indonesia and are relatively easy to make and adopt by stakeholders. The purpose of this research was to screen the efficacy of some plants extracts against mealybugs on cacao. We researched in the laboratory of pests and diseases, IIBCRI. Mealybugs were collected from cacao plantations and reared in the laboratory. The materials plants used for extraction were Cassia spectabilis leaves, Gliricidia sepium leaves, Cinnamomum burmannii leaves, Allium sativum bulbs, Reutealis trisperma fruits, and Cymbopogon nardus leaves. The methods were spraying the plant extracts on mealybugs directly (KS) and cacao pod (BS). The results showed that all types of oils at a concentration of 5% in the KS and BS methods could kill mealybugs equivalent to deltamethrin. The smallest value of LC50 3 DAT is at the MSW (KS), while at 7 DAT, LC50 7 DAT is at MDG (BS). The fastest LT50 value is at MSW (KS) 5%, while in the BS method, the fastest LT50 value is on the MBKS 5%.

Mealybug (Planococcus spp. Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) as a pest on plantation crops and its control techniques: A review

“…Damages are not only caused by sucking activity but also the following infection by secondary organisms such as fungal, bacterial, and viral pathogens. Preventive measures, for example, regular irrigation should be performed as early as in the nursery [25].…”