Control of H. elaterii by Citrulluscolocynthis L. fruit aqueous extract

Abstract

This study aimed to to investigate the potentialities of using the bitter apple Citrullus colocynthis fruit aqueous –extract against H. elaterii. The effect of the extract on the development of the Larvae fourth stage (L4s) (duration in days) and food-consumption rate, were studied. Concentrations of 2.5, 5, 6, and 7% (w/v) of the extracts were prepared. L4s were fed on snake-cucumber leaf-discs treated with extracts for 24, 48 hr or for the whole L4 duration. For the rest of the L4 duration, L4s were offered untreated leaf-discs. The results of HF-aq-extract on the L4s revealed that the extracts of the fruits could be used as insecticides having the properties of repellency at all tested concentrations.