Effectiveness of botanical pesticides against the rhizome flies Mimegralla coeruleifrons Macquart (Diptera: Micropezidae) in red ginger

Abstract

Mimegralla coeruleifrons Macquart is a major pest of red ginger. The use of chemical pesticides for controlling M. coeruleifrons is not a proper solution due to the fact that the chemical pesticides are not environmentally friendly, kill natural enemies, and have negative impacts on human health. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of the botanical pesticides consisting of citronella and eugenol which have been formulated and packaged into a product to control M. coeruleifrons, namely Citronella (Nano Biopestisida), eugenol + citronella + geraniol (Bio Protektor), citronella + salicylic acid (Asimbo), and Imidacloprid (chemical pesticide) that commonly used by the farmer as a comparison. Approximately 10 ml of each botanical pesticides and 2 ml of chemical pesticide were dissolved in 1 litre of water. The treatment was conducted using direct spray. The adults were sprayed and then infested onto ginger plants. Insect mortality was observed at 1; 2; 3; 4; 5; 6 and 7 days after applications. The results show that the botanical pesticide which contains eugenol + citronella + geraniol (Bio protektor) was able to effectively control of M. coeruleifrons pest in red ginger plantation.