Bioactivity of andiroba oil on whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae)

The whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius, 1889) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) is a phytophagous insect that is difficult to control and can cause great damage to several crops of economic importance, as it can use more than 600 botanical species as hosts. This study aimed to evaluate the insecticidal and deterrent effect of andiroba (Carapa guianensis Aubl., Meliaceae) fixed oil on B. tabaci biotype B in kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala). The andiroba oil samples, Manaus and Silves were diluted in acetone P.A. at concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5%, and compared with the commercial insecticide Evidence® 700WG (imidacloprid). For the deterrence test, the concentrations were applied on healthy seedlings and placed in a cage with adult insects. Then the oviposition of whiteflies on the leaves was counted. For the mortality test, applications were performed on seedlings with leaves infested with B. tabaci nymphs to evaluate the nymphicidal effect. Analysis of variance was performed using the F test, and comparison of means using the Tukey test (p<0.05), using the statistical program R®. Concentrations of 1% and 1.5% reached a deterrent effect of 82.13% and 88.55%, respectively. All concentrations caused mortality greater than 60%. These results attest to the potential of andiroba oil as an alternative control for the whitefly.