Beddou1, Y. Bounouira1,2*, N. Gaouar Benyelles1, M. Gaouar Yadi1.
(1) Laboratory of Ecology and Management of Natural Ecosystems, Department of Ecology and Environment, University of Tlemcen, Algeria; (2) Institute of Natural and Life Sciences, Department of Agricultural, Forestry and Environmental Sciences, Tissemsilt University, Tissemsilt, Algeria.
*Email address of the corresponding author: [email protected]
To protect human and environmental health, the toxic effect of diatomaceous earth (DE), as a biopesticide, on the larvae and adults of the olive pest, Bactrocera oleae was evaluated. B. oleae adults were treated with different DE concentrations: 0 mg, 2 mg, 2.4 mg, 2.8 mg, 3.2 mg, 3.6 mg, and 4 mg/cm2. Likewise, the B. oleae larvae were treated with the following DE doses: 110 mg, 130 mg, 150 mg, 170 mg, 190 mg and 210 mg/cm2. The mortality rate of the two stages was monitored every 12 h for a total of 96 h after treatment. The insecticidal effect of DE was significant for both larvae and adults of B. oleae. The results obtained showed that the LC50 for larvae was 120.086 mg/cm2 and for adults was 2.61 mg/cm2. As the DE dose increased, the average mortality of B. oleae larvae increased with the highest mortality recorded at 210 mg/cm2 and a mean mortality of 51.65%. These results suggested that DE can be used as a safe biopesticide, replacing chemical insecticides for the control of B. oleae.
Bactrocera oleae, control, diatomaceous earth, environment, health, toxicity.
https://doi.org/10.22268/AJPP-001531