1Department of Zoology, Panjab University, Chandigarh160014, India
Chandigarh University, Gharuan Mohali, 140413, Punjab, India
*Email: gari_g79@yahoo.com (corresponding author)
Pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) fruit peel (PFPAE) aqueous extract was evaluated for the possible control of common sucking pests of roses viz., aphids (Macrosiphum roseiformis Davis), thrips (Scirthothrips dorsalis Hood) and two-spotted spider mites (Tetranychus urticae Koch). Toxicity bioassays were done with both leaf dip and potted plant treatment and compared with positive control (imidacloprid and spiromesifen). Toxicity bioassays revealed that the mortality was either directly proportional to the concentration or to the exposure time of treatment. At 48 hr exposure time, the mortality at maximum (1x PFPAE) concentration was ranging from ~ 80–90%. Food choice assays indicated that rose leaves treated with PFPAE exhibited high repellent effect on spider mites, thrips and aphids, where the preference was observed to range from 66–80% on control leaves as compared to 5–13% found on the treated leaves at 180 min after exposure.
Punica granatum, Flavonoids, Plant extracts, Metabolomics, Botanical insecticides, Behavioural assays, Repellency, Mortality, Leaf dip, Potted plants, Macrosiphum roseiformis, Scirthothrips dorsalis, Tetranychus urticae
