Anti-Feedant and Repellent Effects of Neem Azal T/S Against the Fall Webworm Hyphantria cunea (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

Abstract

Anti-feedant and repellent effects of the Neem Azal T/S formulation (1% azadirachtin) on the fall webworm Hyphantria cunea (Drury) (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae), the pest of hazelnuts, were assessed under laboratory conditions (25 +/- 2 degrees C, 70 +/- 5% RH and 14 L:10 D). Anti-feedant properties were determined using antifeeding index value. Repellency assays were conducted using area preference and feeding methods. Results revealed that Azadirachtin had concentration dependent antifeedant effect on H. cunea. The average leaf area consumed by H. cunea larvae decreased with increasing the concentration. After 4 days, total amount of leaf area consumed recorded 0.16, 0.93, 4.70 and 9.10 cm(2) at 50, 25, 10 and 5 ppm concentration, respectively compared with 12.7 cm(2) in the control. Azadirachtin showed also a weak level of repellency at 10, 25, 50 ppm. Therefore, it can be used as alternative method in integrated pest management program of the pest.