Integration of plant extracts and field releases of predatory earwig, Euborellia annulata (F.) in organic pechay production

Issue Date

10-2014

Abstract

The effectiveness of three crude plant extracts (Curcuma longa, Alpinia pyramidata and Coleus amboinicus) and the release of 20,000 earwigs, Euborellia annulata (F.) (Dermaptera Anisolabididae), per heactare at two weeks after broadcasting were evaluated against major insect pests attacking organically-grown pechay at the Central Experimental Station, College of Agriculture, UP Los Baños. This was compared with the conventional insect control method using methomyl. These treatments were based on the results of the two previous trials where flea beetle Phyllotreta striolata and cabbage worm, Crocidolomia pavonana were the determinant insect pests. Negligible population of flea beetle and cabbage worm were encountered in the field after the release of earwigs suggesting that the predator might have fed on the grubs of flea beetle in Trial 1. In Trial II, cutworm and cabbage worm were the dominant insect pests encountered. The release of earwig and the natural paratization of Snellenius maniale contributed to the reduction in cutworm population. On the other hand, the application of crude plant extracts and methomyl (standard insecticide) prevented the impending increase in the population of cabbage worm. In addition, based on the damage rating scale, plants sprayed with crude plant extracts had significantly the same population of cabbage worms as in methomyl, indicating that they are equally effective. Highest marketable yield was obtained in plants sprayed with methomyl but does not significantly differ from that of plants sprayed with crude plant extracts plus earwig and S. manilae releases.

Source or Periodical Title

The Philippine Entomologist

ISSN

0048-3753

Volume

28

Issue

2

Page

224

Document Type

Article

Frequency

semi-annually

Language

English

En – AGROVOC descriptors

DERMAPTERA; CURCUMA LONGA; CROCIDOLOMIA; PESTS OF PLANTS; PLANT EXTRACTS; PEST CONTROL; INSECT CONTROL

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