Evaluation of the bio-insecticidal effect of geraniol on the larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda

Abstract

To offer corn growers a way to fight Spodoptera frugiperda while preserving their health and the environment, we have evaluated the effectiveness of the bio-insecticidal effects of geraniol on the larvae of Spodoptera frugiperda in the laboratory and in the open fields at the DPV of Dakar. In the laboratory, we noted a significant difference between the mortality of L3 larvae treated with the geraniol and control larvae treated with distilled water (P <0.014). On the other hand, there is no significant difference between the mortality of L5 larvae fed on leaves treated with bio-insecticidal and control L5 larvae after 24 hours and 72 hours of exposure. In the open field, the treatment had a significant effect on the corn infestation rate (F = 58.54; P = 0.00) and on the larval population (F = 98.00; P <0.0001). Applications with the geraniol resulted in a 38.5% reduction in the infestation rate of Spodoptera frugiperda following both treatments.