title: Bioactivity of indigenous medicinal plants against the cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci.
abstract: Forty-one methanol extracts of 28 indigenous medicinal plant species were tested for their insecticidal bioactivity against cotton whitefly, Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae), adults and second nymphal instars under controlled conditions. This study is within a bioprospection context, in the form of utilizing local plant species as an alternative in sustainable agriculture development. Eighteen and nine plant extracts caused a significant decrease in number of live adult and nymphal whiteflies, respectively, compared to the control. This is the first report for the potential effect on survival of insects for 22 out of 28 tested medicinal plant species. Whole plant extracts of Ranunculus myosuroudes Boiss. and Kotschy (Ranunculaceae), Achillea damascena L. (Asteraceae), and Anthemis hebronica Boiss. and Kotschy (Asteraceae) and leaf extracts of Verbascum leptostychum DC. (Scrophulariaceae) and Heliotropium rotundifolium Boiss. (Borangiaceae) caused both repellent and toxic effects against the adult and second nymphal instars, respectively. Extracts of leaves and stems of Anthemis scariosa Boiss. (Asteraceae) and Calendula palestina Pers. (Asteraceae) were found to be more bioactive against the adult and nymphal instars, respectively, than extracts of other plant parts, such as flowers. Thus, the bioactive extracts of these medicinal plants have the potential to lower whitefly populations in a comprehensive pest management program in local communities, pending cultivation of these medicinal plant species.
authors.affiliation: 1 Department of Agricultural Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural & Food Sciences, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
authors.forename: E Abou-Fakhr
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Hammad
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zeaiter
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Saliba
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Talhouk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006430:Hemiptera / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D007306:Insecticides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007861:Lebanon; D009758:Nymph / Q000187:drug effects; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D010946:Plants, Medicinal
chemical_list: D007306:Insecticides; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: endemic; medicinal; plant extract