Possibility for control with botanical insecticides against the mealy plum aphid Hyalopterus pruni Geoffroy, 1762 (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on the plum in Southern Bulgaria

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of botanical insecticides recommended for control of the mealy plum aphid Hyalopterus pruni (Hemiptera: Aphididae). The experiment was carried out in 2024 in the experimental field of the Fruit Growing Institute-Plovdiv, Bulgaria. The tested insecticides were orange oil (Limocid), liquid extract of Urtica spp. (Basictec) and pyrethrins (Abanto). The insecticides were applied at the recommended concentrations for control of aphids, whiteflies, thrips and other pests. All tested botanical insecticides showed high biological efficacy and can be used to control the mealy plum aphid. Keywords: mealy plum aphid, biological control, botanical insecticides, Limocid, Basictec, Abanto, Hyalopterus pruni