Comportamento alimentar de adultos de Diabrotica speciosa na presença de extratos aquosos de Meliaceae

Abstract

The aim of this research was to select extracts with insect antifeedant activity. Leaf consumption by adults of Diabrotica speciosa was determined under laboratory conditions with free choice. Bean leaf had been cut in circular format and treated with aqueous extracts of leaflets, petioles with stems of Cedrela fissilis Vell., Cabralea canjerana (Vell.) Mart, Melia azedarach L. var. azedarach, Trichilia claussenii C. DC., Trichilia catigua A. Juss. e Trichilia elegans A. Juss, arranged in Petri plates, and an insect released and kept within the plate for 24 hours. The consumed leaf area was determined after this period. The leaflet extract of M. azedarach var. azedarach showed greater antifeedant activity tham the extract of petiole with stems. However, the consumed leaf area in the leaves treated with the extract of petioles with stem was lower than in treated with extracts of leaves, giving greater antifeedant effect. The KOGAN & GOEDEN index (1970) showed antifeedant activity for all the extracts, but did not show significant differences between them.