Author(s): FREITAS, G. S. de; SENA FILHO, J. G. de; SARAIVA, W. V. A.; VIEIRA, I. G.; OLIVEIRA, E. E.; TEODORO, A. V.

Summary: The coconut mite,Aceria guerreronisKeifer (Acari: Eriophyidae), is a severe andubiquitous pest of coconut plantations worldwide. Vegetable oils contain fatty acids that areactive against a variety of agricultural pests; however, little is known about their efficiency incontrollingA. guerreronisas well as their adverse effects on its natural enemies. Here, weassessed the chemical profile of palm oil as well as its toxicity and repellence to bothA.guerreronisandTyphlodromus ornatusDenmark and Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae), a naturalenemy of the pest. Oleic, palmitic, and linoleic acids accounted for over 85% of palm oil fattyacid composition. Also, palm oil was approximately 4-fold more toxic to the coconut mite thanto its predator. Furthermore, the lethal concentration percentage (LC)50and LC99of palm oilindicated greater activity against the coconut mite than to its predator. Therefore, by exhibitinghigher toxicity and repellence to the coconut mite, with substantial selectivity to the predatorT.ornatus, palm oil is a promising tool to be integrated in the control ofA. guerreronisin coconutplantations.

Publication year: 2019

Types of publication: Journal article

Unit: Embrapa Coastal Tablelands

Keywords: Coco, Coconuts, Controle Biológico, Fatty acids, Plant pests, Praga de Planta, Ácaro, Óleo Vegetal