Effect of diatomaceous earth and essential oil fromCymbopogon nardus(L.) Rendleon incidence of fruit fly,Anastrepha fraterculus(Diptera: Tephritidae), in cultivars ofplum in organic system

Abstract

The fruit fly,Anastrepha fraterculus(Diptera: Tephritidae), is a serious problem of temperate fruit inorganic system. This research objective evaluate alternatives in the incidence this insect in cultivars ofplum on organic system. The research was carried out at Epagri/Ituporanga Experiment Station fromOctober 2006 to January 2007. The treatments were sprays of (1) diatomaceous earth 1% associatedwith essential oil ofCymbopogon nardus0,5%; (2) diatomaceous earth 0,5% and (3) untreated check.The cultivars of plum were Irati, Rosa Mineira, Januária and Centenária. The cultivar Irati was lessinfested because the harvest is early until de middle of December and escape to the high temperaturesthat increases fruit fly incidence. The treatments alter the fruit fly larvae incidence, but did not reduce thedamage on fruits. The diatomaceous earth must be associated with others substances with highrepellent, deterrent and insecticide effect for more efficacy.