Controlling of Palmyra fruit infectious coprophilous SPP beetle by using selected medicinal plants

Abstract

Ripened palmyra fruit is a delicious food a source with excellent nutritious values and medicinal properties which can be developed into many value-added products. Palmyra palm, scientifically known as Borassus flabellifer is a tropical wild edible fruit tree that is globally grown in South Asian countries such as Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Indonesia, The Philippines, and East African countries [1]. In the Sri Lankan context, it is commonly grown in the dry zone including Northern and Eastern provinces. Ripen Palmyra fruits act as a part of the mission of reducing hunger in rural communities through direct consumption as well as developed products such as drinks, dumplings, candy, jams, etc. Rapid decomposition of ripened fruits due to the pest attack renders them un-consumable, creating food waste and the mission harder. Generally, fruit pest attacks are prevented by treating with pesticides including Pyrethroids, Carbamates, Organochlorines, and Organophosphates [2]. But with time, pesticides are identified as a major cause of environmental pollution as well as a critical health hazard to humans and animals. Bioaccumulation, changes in biological cycles, concentrating in soil and water sources are some of the environmental consequences of pesticides and they cause chronic health issues such as cancers, immunological disorders, genetic mutations, neurological disorders, birth defects, and fetal death [2, 3]. Therefore, scientists have paid attention towards botanical pesticides in order to minimize the detrimental impacts of pesticides and fulfill the pest control aspect. This study was aimed to identify the infective pest to the Palmyra fruits and analyze the insecticidal activity of leaves of Azadirachta indica (Neem), Justicia adhatoda (Malabar nut), Citrus × Aurantiifolia (Lime), Tabernaemontana divaricata (Crape jasmine), Lantana Camara (Shrub verbena), and flowers of Tagetes erecta (Marigold) which were considered as medicinal plants. Identification of potential botanical insecticide for control of Palmyra, fruit pest will be a valuable attempt to increase the utilization of Palmyra fruit up to its maximum values.