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Acaricidal Properties of Billygoat Weed Ageratum conyzoides L. Essential Oil on Polyphagous Two-Spotted Spider Mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch

  • 0Division of Crop Protection, ICAR-Indian Institute of Horticultural Research, Hessarghatta Lake, Bengaluru, India. prasannaent@gmail.com.
Neotropical Entomology +

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April 17, 2025

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April 17, 2025

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Ageratum conyzoides essential oil effectively controls the two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae), a significant eggplant pest. This plant-based pesticide offers a sustainable alternative to chemical treatments, reducing crop losses.

Area Of Science

  • Agricultural Entomology
  • Plant Chemistry
  • Pest Management

Background

  • The two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) causes substantial yield loss in eggplant crops, escalating due to pesticide resistance.
  • Sustainable pest management strategies are crucial, with plant-derived compounds like essential oils (EOs) showing promise.

Purpose Of The Study

  • To evaluate the efficacy of Ageratum conyzoides essential oil and its components against Tetranychus urticae.
  • To investigate the toxicological mechanisms of these natural compounds on the mites.

Main Methods

  • Extraction and chemical analysis of Ageratum conyzoides essential oil.
  • Bioassays to determine mortality rates and LC50 values of the EO and its binary compounds against T. urticae.
  • Biochemical assays measuring esterase, glutathione S-transferase, and acetylcholine esterase activity.
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to observe morphological changes in treated mites.

Main Results

  • Ageratum conyzoides EO exhibited high efficacy, causing 97.5% mortality with an LC50 of 10.61 µL/mL, attributed to compounds like Precocene I, Geraniol, and Neral.
  • Binary compounds, particularly Geraniol, also demonstrated significant insecticidal activity.
  • Exposure to the EO and its components led to increased activity of key detoxification enzymes and observable physical damage in T. urticae.

Conclusions

  • Ageratum conyzoides essential oil is a potent natural acaricide against Tetranychus urticae.
  • This plant-based approach offers a sustainable solution for managing spider mite infestations in vegetable crops.
  • Further development of A. conyzoides EO-based products could enhance integrated pest management strategies.

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