Insecticidal Effects of Extracts from Three Herbal Plants on the Poultry Pest Alphitobius diaperinus.

Abstract

<b>Background and Objective:</b> <i>Alphitobius diaperinus</i> (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) is a major pest in conventional chicken farms in Indonesia. The temperature and humidity in the cage should be similar to their habitat. To find bioinsecticidal plants that can be integrated into the chicken house area, this study aims to analyze phytochemical compounds, test toxic effects and repellents of three types of herbal plants, i.e., <i>Lantana camara</i>, <i>Evodia suaveolens</i> and <i>Pluchea indica</i> against adult <i>A. diaperinus</i>. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Toxic and repellent effects of extracts were tested at five concentrations. Toxicity indicators were analyzed based on mortality 2×24 hrs post-exposure. The estimated LC₅₀ of the extracts was calculated from the mortality data at 48 hrs post-exposure. Repellency was observed using a Y-olfactometer tube to obtain the repellency (PR) data percentage. A two-way ANOVA test was conducted to identify significant treatments, using a significance level 0.05. <b>Results:</b> Phytochemical analysis revealed insecticidal compounds in the three leaf extracts. The leaf extracts of <i>E. suaveolens</i>, <i>L. camara</i> and <i>P. indica</i> showed an estimated LC₅₀ value of 24 hrs at concentrations of 86.11, 91.33 and 97.51%, respectively. Extract concentrations affected PR with significant differences (Tukey's range test; p<0.05) and <i>E. suaveolens</i> extract showed the best repellency. <b>Conclusion:</b> All extract sources contain insecticidal compounds, but toxicity and repellency test results show the best LC₅₀ and repellency estimates for <i>E. suaveolens</i> extracts. Thus, <i>E. suaveolens</i> extract has the potential to control and repel the poultry pest <i>A. diaperinus</i> and this plant can be integrated around conventional chicken cages.