Invasive vs. Invasive, Parthenium hysterophorus as a Bio-Control Agent against Invasive Mealybugs

Abstract

Parthenium hysterophorus has an antagonistic potential against mealybugs, which are hosted on wild Dalbergia sissoo. In the current study, an aqueous extract of Parthenium was evaluated against mealybugs on Dalbergia sissoo. A serial dose of 12.5, 25, 50, 100, 200, and 500 µg/mL of aqueous extract was prepared from all parts of the Parthenium plant. After 72 h at high doses, 200 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL aqueous extracts had high mortality of 76.67% and 73.33% via the residual method, respectively. Meanwhile at same dose after 72 h, the contact method had higher mortality percentages of 80% and 80% at 200 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL, respectively. After 48 h at a high dose (200 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL), the mortality of the mealybugs was highest via the contact method. The results show a mortality of 73.33% with both doses. Meanwhile the same doses, via the contact method, after 48 h had a 63.33% mortality rate. After 24 h via the contact method, at 200 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL the mortality of mealybug was 70% with both doses, whereas via the mortality rate via the residual method at 200 µg/mL and 500 µg/mL doses was 56.67% and 66.67%, respectively. These results indicate that Parthenium is a strong bio-control agent against mealybugs. Aqueous extracts could lead to a cost effective and environmentally friendly insecticidal for sustainable use in large scale forestry.