The effect of botanical pesticide Azadirachtin and its combination with Henna on bux moth, Cydalima perspectalis Walker (Lep.: Crambidae)

The bux moth, Cydalima perspectalis Walker (Lep.: Crambidae), has been identified as the most important pest of the genus Buxus in the world. This pest was introduced into Iran in 2016 and became highly invasive and destructive on Buxus hyrcana Pojark in the Northern Forests of Iran. The aim of this study was the evaluation of botanical pesticide Azadirachtin (Neem Azal®) to control of the bux moth and its combination with Henna as a synergist. Experiments were performed in a completely randomized design and were evaluated on second instar larvae of C. perspectalis under laboratory conditions (27±1°C, 65±10 R.H. and 16:8 L:D). At first, the mortality rate of the three concentrations of the Azadirachtin (1500, 1000 and 250 ppm) with control (water) was analyzed in six replications, then the effect of combination of three concentrations of Neem Azal® + Henna powder were investigated with three replications. The mortality was recorded after 24, 48 and 72 h. Our findings indicated that the application of Neem Azal® + Henna powder as an inexpensive and available adjuvant compound in spray tank could reduce the recommended concentration up to 50% and become more affordable to control C. perspectalis. This synergistic effect was similar when the dose of insecticide becomes doubles.