Repellency of the biopesticide, azadirachtin, to wireworms (Coleoptera: Elateridae)

Abstract

The neem tree Azadirachta indica A. Juss produces numerous allelochemical compounds. The most effective active ingredient in A. indica based insecticides is azadirachtin. We found that azadirachtin did not cause mortality, antifeeding responses, or change growth rate of Melanotus communis (Gyllenhal) wireworms. However, azadirachtin treated soil was repellent to the wireworms. This is the first report of azadirachtin being repellent to any of the large and economically important family of Elateridae.