Pepper extracts as a repellent, insecticide and anti-feeding activity on the maize weevil

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate thee repellent, insecticide and anti-feeding effect of red pepper Capsicum baccatum (Willd.) Eshb. (Solanaceae) extracts on the maize weevil Sitophillus zeamais (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). The determination of the repellent effect of plant extracts was assessed using four arenas/replicates in which the extracts were added at concentrations of 0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 20% and 140 insects; and 24 hours after, we performed the counting of insects. For the insecticidal activity, in plastic containers, 1 mL of the extract was applied, at the concentrations previously mentioned, on adult insects; and after stirring for 10 seconds they were transferred to Petri dishes, using four replicates of 20 insects each. Assessment of mortality was performed daily for ten days. To test the anti-feeding activity, insects evaluated for insecticidal activity were weighed on an analytical balance, four insects per replicate. It was found that the aqueous extracts of seeds of pepper had repellent activity at a concentration of 20%; and the insecticide activity was independent of concentration. The correlative effect was obtained with fruit alcoholic extracts, which showed insecticidal and anti-feeding activity at a concentration of 20%. The use of red pepper plant extracts could be an alternative to control the maize weevil.