Effect of Flourensia oolepis Blake (chilca) Extract on Adults of Helicoverpa gelotopoeon Dyar (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and its Parasitoid Archytas sp. (Diptera: Tachinidae)

Abstract

Indiscriminate use of synthetic insecticides, commonly-used tools for pest control, has been shown to cause irreversible environmental damage. Botanical compounds currently represent ecologically acceptable alternatives. The active ingredient of Flourensia oolepis (Asteraceae) has been effectively used against different species of insect pests. The aim of this research was to study the effect of the crude extract of F. oolepis on the reproduction of Helicoverpa gelotopoeon and the survival of parasitoid adults Archytas sp. (Tachinidae). To measure the effect of the extract on oviposition, choice tests were conducted, using different extract concentrations (1% to 5%) and acetone (control), and the inhibition rate was calculated. The intake of extract was analyzed by no-choice tests, and adult longevity, oviposition period, fertility, fecundity of H. gelotopoeon and survival of the parasitoid Archytas sp. was determined. In choice tests, the 2.5% dose of the extract produced a marked oviposition deterrent effect. In non-choice tests in adults, extracts did not affect longevity, but did affect fecundity and fertility when females ingested a 5% dose throughout the experimental period. The intake of extract significantly decreased parasitoid survival.