Effect of some botanical compounds on pistachio psylla Agonoscena pistaciae (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) under laboratory and field conditions

Pistachio psylla, Agonoscena pistaciae Burkhardt & Lauterer (Hem.: Psyllidae) is one of the most important pests of pistachio orchards in Iran. The application of chemical pesticides early in the growing season until harvest has affected farmers’ and consumers’ health. In this research, the efficacy of arugula Eruca sativa cold press seed oil, methanolic spinach Spinacia oleracea seed extract, and dayabon® (SL 10%) was studied against nymphs and adults of pistachio psylla in a laboratory at 26 ± 2 °C, 65 ± 5% RH, and photoperiod of 16: 8 (L: D) h. LC50 values of nanoemulsion formulation (NEF) of spinach seed extract and its nonformulated extract on the early nymphal stage were 468 and 4381 mg/l, respectively. In contrast, the LC50 value of arugula seed oil and dayabon was 2281 and 4380 mg/l, respectively. NEF of spinach seed extract (LC50 = 124 mg/l) was significantly more toxic than other compounds against the 5th nymphal stage. There was no significant difference in nonformulated spinach seed extract (LC50 = 3946 mg/l), arugula seed oil (LC50 = 3189 mg/l) and dayabon (LC50 = 3930 mg/l) against 5th instars. The efficiency of dayabon and arugula seed oil and a chemical pesticide fenitrothion was studied in the field located in Dehmolla County, Shahrood, Iran. Sampling was carried out before and after treatment. There were no significant differences between days after treatments. It means that the botanicals were effective until 21 days after treatment. Findings indicated that botanical pesticides used in this study could be effective against pistachio psylla.