Study of the potential of Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) on the management of rosette cochineal

The high socio-economic and environmental costs of agrochemicals encouraged the search for efficient and environmentally compatible alternatives in pest control. The use of products derived from plants has become a promising alternative. Due to the indiscriminate use of products not registered for the control of Planococcus citri, this study aimed to evaluate the potential use of Jatropha curcas. Individuals were 10, 15, 20 and 25 days old. The concentrations used in the experiment were 0.0; 0.5; 1.0; 1.5; 2.0; 2.5 and 3.0 %. In direct application, coffee leaf disks (4 cm diameter) were used, inoculated with cochineal and sprayed with the aid of a Potter's tower. In indirect application, the Planococcus citri was immersed in the solutions for 5 seconds and then the cochineal was inoculated. They were submitted to six repetitions per concentration. In the direct application, there was no interaction among the insect age factors, extracts of plant structures and concentrations. Mortality was higher in 10 days old individuals on J. curcas oil. In the indirect application, there was no interaction among the insect age factors, structures extracts and concentrations. At the 0.5 % concentration, for the 10 days old individuals, the mortality was higher for oil, stem bark and root extracts. Similar results were observed in other concentrations, especially in the oil and stem bark. The study concludes that structures and J. curcas oil are effective in the management of the rosette cochineal.