'The Garlic Gambit': an alternative strategy for controlling vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus F.; Coleoptera: Curculionidae).

Fezza, Eugenia; Roberts, Joe M; Bruce, Toby J A; Walsh, Lael E; Gaffney, Michael T; Pope, Tom W

Abstract

Plant protection products derived from plant material are proposed to be a sustainable alternative to conventional synthetic chemical pesticides. This study determines the efficacy of a commercially available bioinsecticide based on garlic (Allium sativum L.; Asparagales: Amaryllidaceae) extract against vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus F.; Coleoptera: Curculionidae) eggs and larvae in contact, fumigation and a combination of contact and fumigation bioassays under laboratory conditions. Results showed that garlic significantly reduced egg hatch rate compared to the control group when applied as a fumigant. Similarly, the egg hatch rate was reduced compared to the control group when garlic was applied as combined contact and fumigant applications. No effect was observed when the garlic product was applied as a contact application. The bioinsecticide significantly reduced larval survival when either contact or fumigant applications were used. A combined contact and fumigant effect was shown also when vine weevil eggs were exposed to the bioinsecticide for 30 days in plastic containers containing growing media. The number of larvae recovered after this period was significantly reduced compared to the control group. This study demonstrates the potential of garlic-based bioinsecticides, such as Pitcher GR, for vine weevil control. Further studies are, however, needed to determine the efficacy of such bioinsecticides under field conditions and investigate how these products can be most effectively used as a part of a wider vine weevil integrated pest management program. [Abstract copyright: © The Author(s) 2024. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Entomological Society of America. All rights reserved. For commercial re-use, please contact [e-mail] for reprints and translation rights for reprints. All other permissions can be obtained through our RightsLink service via the Permissions link on the article page on our site—for further information please contact [e-mail].]

Citation

Fezza, E., Roberts, J. M., Bruce, T. J. A., Walsh, L. E., Gaffney, M. T., & Pope, T. W. (in press). 'The Garlic Gambit': an alternative strategy for controlling vine weevil (Otiorhynchus sulcatus F.; Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Journal of Economic Entomology, 117(5), 1968-1976. https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae175

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jul 17, 2024
• Online Publication Date: Aug 9, 2024
• Deposit Date: Oct 3, 2024
• Journal: Journal of economic entomology
• Print ISSN: 0022-0493
• Electronic ISSN: 1938-291X
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 117
• Issue: 5
• Article Number: toae175
• Pages: 1968-1976
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jee/toae175
• Keywords: larval survival, egg hatchability, contact test, fumigant test, Botanical bioinsecticide
• Public URL: https://keele-repository.worktribe.com/output/888076
• Publisher URL: https://academic.oup.com/jee/advance-article/doi/10.1093/jee/toae175/7731103