EVALUATION OF DIFFERENT BOTANICAL INSECTICIDES AGAINST

SPOTTED LADY BIRD BEETLES

GROUP 3 (ENTOMOLOGY)

A SHORT TERM RESEARCH SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF THE COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND RELATED SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF

SOUTHEASTERN PHILIPPINES, PINDASAN, MABINI, COMPOSTELA VALLEY PROVINCE IN

PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE

CROP PROTECTION 2 (Approaches and Practices in Pest Management)

MARCH 2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Title Page

ABSTRACT ………………………………………………………… 1

INTRODUCTION ………………………………………………………… 2

Objectives ………………………………………………………… 2

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Lady Beetle ………………………………………………………… 3

Lemon Grass ………………………………………………………. 3

Neem Plant ………………………………………………………….. 3

Madre de cacao …………………………………………………….. 4

METHODOLOGY

Experimental Site and Duration of the Study………………………. 5

Materials ….……………………………………………………….. 5

Treatments …………………………………………………………... 5

Preparation of Botanical Extracts …………………………………… 5

Application of Botanical Pesticides ………………………………… 6

DATA GATHERED

Percentage of Mortality (%) ………………………………….. 6

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION .............................................................. 7

SUMMARY …………………………………………………..……….. 8

CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION ……………………………………. 9

APPENDICES ……………………………………………..……... 10

LITERATURE CITED ………………………………………………..…... 11

IMPRESSION …………………………………………………….. 12

DOCUMENTATION ……………………………………………….……………. 13

GROUP MEMBERS ……………………………………………………. 14

Abstract

This short term research entitled “EVALUATION DIFFERENT BOTANICAL

INSECTICIDES AGAINST SPOTTED LADY BIRD BEETLES” by the Group 3

Entomology, University of Southeastern Philippines, Tagum-Mabini Campus, Mabini Unit,

Pindasan, Mabini, Compostela Valley, March 2016.

Instructor: Ms. Mary Amor Figueroa, R.A.

This short term research was conducted to evaluate the different botanical

insecticides against spotted ladybird beetles and to determine the most effective

botanical insecticide applied for the control of spotted lady bird beetle.

The different botanical insecticides for treatments used in in the study were

as follows: T1 – Control (SDW); T2 – Lemon grass (Cymbopogon citratus); T3-

Neem plant (Azadirachta indica); T4 – Madre de cacao (Gliricidia sepium). The

treatments were extracted, mixed with water solution and replicated three times

with 9 insects per replication.

Results showed that application of lemon grass at 3mL/concentration

increased the mortality rate of spotted ladybird beetle up to 22.22%.

INTRODUCTION

Many people are fond of ladybugs because of their colorful spotted appearance. But

farmers for their appetite. Most ladybugs voraciously consume plant-eating insects, such as

aphids, and in doing so they help to protect crops. Ladybugs lay hundreds of eggs in the colonies

of aphids and other plant-eating pests. When they hatch, the ladybug larvae immediately to feed.

Lady bugs are also called lady beetles or, in Europe, ladybird beetles. There are 5,000

species of these insects, and not all of them have the same appetites. A few ladybugs prey not

on plant-eaters but on plants. The Mexican bean beetle and the squash beetle are destructive

pests that prey upon the crops mentioned in their names.

(animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/ladybug/)

Through this research, we can promote the use of botanical insecticides for the control of

lady bird beetle as an alternative strategy in repelling/suppressing insects which had a minimized

hazards and risks to health and the environment unlike to other insecticides which are

concentrated with synthetic chemicals. Botanicals such as Lemon grass, Neem plant, Madre de

cacao, Chrysanthemum, and the like were reportedly had the potential in the management of

different pests.

Objectives

This activity was aimed to:

1.) Evaluate different botanical insecticides against spotted lady bird beetles; and

2.) Determine the most effective botanical insecticide applied for the control of spotted

lady bird beetle

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

LADY BEETLE

There are two species of lady beetles in Kentucky that feed on plants rather than insects.

They are the Mexican bean beetle and the squash beetle. Both are very easy to recognize.

Mexican bean beetle adults, which feed on garden beans and occasionally soybeans, have

orange bodies with eight black spot on each wing cover. Squash beetles, which attack squash,

pumpkin, and cantaloupe, have only seven spots. The larvae are also very distinctive and

shouldn’t be mistaken for predaceous larvae, because they have large forked spines across their

yellowish orange bodies (Ric Bessin, Extension Entomologist, University of Kentucky College of

Agriculture).

EFFECTS OF BOTANICAL INSECTICIDES

LEMON GRASS

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) is an effective insecticide against ticks, termites and

dust mites, according to study results summarized in the Sigma-Aldrich Plant Profiler. Lemon

grass also has anti-larval and anti-helminthic activity. Geraniol, a constituent of lemon grass oil,

was able to kill helminths, which are intestinal worms. A 2004 study in Brazil published by

Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, an international journal of biological biomedical research,

showed that the essential oil of lemongrass could kill the larvae of the mosquito that causes

dengue fever (Marie-Luise Blue, 2004).

NEEM

Neem (Azadirachta indica) the key insecticidal ingredient found in the neem tree is

azadirachtin, a naturally occurring substance that belongs to an organic molecule class hold

tetranortriterpenoids. It is structurally similar to insect hormones called “ecdysones,” which control

the process of metamorphosis as the insects pass from larva to pupa to many hormones and

other physiological changes to be successful, and azadirachtin seems to be an “ecdysone

blocker.” It blocks the insect’s production and release of these vital hormones. Insects the will not

molt, thus breaking their life cycle. Azadirachtin may also serve as a feeding deterrent for some

insects. Depending on the stage of life-cycle, insect death may not occur for several days.

However, upon ingestion of minute quantities, insects become quiescent and stop feeding.

Residual insecticidal activity is evident for 7 to 10 days or longer, depending on insect and

application rate. Azadirachtin is used to control whiteflies, aphids, thrips, fungus, gnats,

caterpillars, beetles, mushroom flies, mealybugs, leafminers, gypsy moths and others on food,

greenhouse crops, ornamental and turf (Extoxnet, 1996).

MADRE DE CACAO

Madre de cacao (Gliricidia sepium) is a good source of coumarins, a toxic substance that

can kill almost all types of pests and insects that was found out by a Filipino chemist, Alfredo

Rabena. According to him, one kilogram of kakawati leaves (Madre de cacao), soaked in water

overnight can produce seven gallons of botanopesticides (botanical pesticides). The more leaves

the more concentrate the pesticide is (Helen Flores, 2008).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Experimental Site and Duration of the Study

The activity was conducted in the Walingwaling Dormitory of the University of

Southeastern Philippines, College of Agriculture and Related Sciences, Pindasan, Mabini,

Compostela Valley Province for duration of 10 days in the month of March, 2016.

Materials Used

The materials used in the study were the following: Tap water, Spraying bottle, Insect

Net, Rubber bands, Labels for treatments, Empty plastic containers (1L and 350mL)

Treatments

The following treatments were used in the study:

T1 - Control (SDW)

T2 - Lemon Grass

T3 - Neem Plant

T4 - Madre de cacao

Preparation of Botanical Extracts

Plastic bottles were prepared by cutting its upper part (Fig1a). These were labelled and

covered with insect nets and tied with rubber bands. All needed plants were air dried and then

pounded with any hard substances. Dried leaves (Fig.1b) were extracted using the infusion

method. These were soaked in water in a ratio of 5g: 350ml of water for 24 hours. After soaking,

leaves were filtered to extract the pure suspension. Spray solution (Fig.1c) used in the experiment

was composed of 350mL pure plant extract solution/L of water.

Figure 1. Preparation of Botanical extracts. a) Cut plastic bottles; b) Dried leaves of botanical plant; c) Botanical spray solution

a b c

Application of Botanical Insecticides

Three milliliter of botanical insecticide solution were sprayed (Fig.2a) in the bottle where

insects were caged (Fig.2b).

Figure 2. Spraying of botanical insecticide solution (a)

to caged ladybird beetles (b).

Data Gathered

Percentage of Mortality (%)

Percent of mortality was recorded one hour after application of insecticide to the insects.

Number of insects died

Percentage of Mortality (%) = -------------------------------- x 100

Total Number of Insects

a b

IMPRESSION

Crop Protection 2 is a very complex course that an agriculture student should be in a mature and

critical way of thinking that he or she could appreciate the principles and importance of pest

management why it must be taught and practiced.

In this course, we were taught lot of things that extraordinary people do and discuss, like studying

diseases in crops, their causal organisms, different pests and beneficial insects, and the crucial

part which is having scientific researches that deals with the approaches in crop protection, that

in some feels like of being an amateur plant pathologist.

This short term research is an advantage to us as an agriculture students in this university, that

this activity is not a just and minor, though we were still on our second year, but we already have

the edge and guts for our preparatory and specialization as we step forward to the future field

(hoping we could successfully forward).

What made this as an advantage? First and foremost, the pressures and quick ideas we grasped

that made our eyes sunken and fretting over pimples due to having sleepless nights; that we were

trained and taught in advance; having keen observations and analyses in following scientific

method; by having an attitude in which we can reason out with scientific basis; and of course,

doing research with the use of manuscript format for our output. For how many times we

conducted an STR, in this course subject we only knew the proper: from the cover page to the

literature cited. We were much thankful for the knowledge and rigid teachings that were imparted

from our dear instructor, for without her, we would not experience this sort of pressure and

challenges as early as possible.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Percent Mortality Rate of ladybird beetle after the application of different botanical insecticides

Table 1 presents the percent mortality rate of ladybird beetle after the application of

different botanical insecticides.

Results showed that application of Lemon grass extract had highest mortality rate of

ladybird beetle with 22.22% mortality. Also, madre de cacao extracts had higher mortality rate

(14.81%) of ladybird beetle followed by the application of neem plant extract with 7.41% mortality.

And zero percent mortality was recorded to lady bird beetle applied with water only.

The above results implied that application of lemon grass extract increased mortality rate

of lady bird beetle. This could be attributed to its properties that has anti-larval and anti-helminthic

activity. According to Marie-Luise Blue, lemon grass had geraniol compounds which was able to

kill helminths or intestinal worms.

It was confirmed and concluded that lemongrass was the best insecticide in controlling

spotted ladybird probably because of its insecticidal components such as citral, geraniol,

myrcene, citronellal and limonene. As a natural insecticide, lemongrass and its oil are not

associated with some of the toxic of harmful side effects of other insecticides. (Marie-Luise Blue,

2004).

According to Julie Day, for those with significant beetle populations, the battle against

ladybug infestation is a yearly chore that doesn’t have a satisfying solution. Because they are so

beneficial in the garden, it is generally not recommended to kill them in large numbers, yet the

indoor infestations can be pretty overwhelming. Prevention is the best strategy, along with regular

removal of current invaders.

22.22%

14.81%

7.41%

0%0.00%

5.00%

10.00%

15.00%

20.00%

25.00%

Treatments

Table 1. Mortality rate of ladybird beetle after application of different botanical insecticides.

Lemon Grass Neem Plant Madre de Cacao Control

Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation

This short term research was conducted to evaluate which botanical extract is the most

effective repellent against Ladybird beetle (Coccinellidae). We prepared 3 plants with insecticidal

components: Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus), Neem Plant (Azadirachta indica) and Madre

de Cacao (Gliricidia sepium) so to have four treatments and the other one is control. Each

treatment was replicated into three with nine insects per treatment that was caged in a plastic

bottles. The treatments were prepared through infusion method in extraction process. Separation

of the extract (now containing the plant extract) from the spent raw material (leaves) then mixed

with boiled water in order to increase the concentration of the active ingredient (plant extract) in

order to produce a concentrated liquid extract. The plant extract was measured 350 mL and the

boiled water’s 650 mL for an accurate concentration. In data gathering, we observed the insects

after they were sprayed ten times according to the treatment.

Based on the above results, Lemongrass extract at 3mL concentration increased the

mortality rate of spotted ladybird beetle.

Hence, the researcher recommends to use lemon grass extracts in controlling spotted

ladybird beetles as botanical insecticide.

Literature Cited

BESSIN, R. Ladybugs Entomology. University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. ENTFACT-105:. Retrieved March 18, 2016 from <https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef105>

BLUE, M. L. (2004), Insecticidal Properties of Lemongrass. Demand Media. Retrieved March 18, 2016 from

<www.homeguides.sfgate.com/insecticidal-properties-lemon-grass-55229.html>

HELEN FLORES (2008) Pesticide Developed from Madre de Cacao. Philstar GLOBAL. www.philstar.com:8080/science-and-technology/401285/pesticide-developed- madre-de-cacao EXTOXNET. Extension Toxicology Network Pesticide Information Profiles. Azadirachtin. Undated. http://ace.orst.edu/info/extoxnet/pips/azadirac.htm EPA Fact Sheet. Azadirachtin (121701) Clarified Hydrophobic Extract of Neem Oil (025007). http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/biopesticides/ingredients/factsheets/factsheet_025 007.htm

Extraction Process (n.d.) Retrieved March 18, 2016 from

<www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3609377/>

Animals. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

Appendices

Appendix Table 1. Percent mortality rate a of ladybird beetle after the application of different

botanical insecticides

a = Percent Mortality rate was computed using the formula:

% Mortality = _Number of insects died_ x 100

Number of insects assessed

Treatment

Replication

Mean

R1 R2 R3

T1 (Control) 0 0 0 0%

T2 (Lemon grass) 55.56 11.11 0 22.22%

T3 (Neem plant) 11.11 11.11 0 7.41%

T4 (Madre de cacao) 33.33 11.11 0 14.81%

Documentation

(Collecting insects)

(Caged Insects)

GROUP 3

ENTOMOLOGY

LE CHAN YU

ROWOLEN GENABE

JIRAH VANILLA

JUDITH OSORIO

EMILY ORBESO

JOHN MARK JULIAN PABILLORE

JAYSON GAMBOA NEIL LOMALIO

JAYMARK CONSARVA

HERJAY PAGALAN

ROMEO BANDOL