AVALIAÇÃO DA ATIVIDADE INSETICIDA DO ÓLEO ESSENCIAL DE MENTRASTO (Ageratum conyzoides L.) SOBRE O PULGÃO Macrosiphum euphorbiae (Thomas, 1878), (HEMIPTERA: APHIDIDAE) EM ROSEIRA

The cultivation of roses in a protected environment has grown every year in Brazil and, with the expansion of cultivated area, the incidence of pests has increased significantly. Among the pests that infest ornamental plants we can highlight the aphids. In the search for more sustainable management techniques, the pest control using vegetable oil is becoming a promising alternative, inexpensive and safe for applicators and consumers. The objective of this study was to evaluate the insecticide effect of the essential oil of mentrasto Ageratum conyzoides L. on the aphid Macrosiphum euphorbiae. The experiment was conducted in the chemistry laboratory of the Federal University of Lavras. Essential oil was applied at concentrations 0.025 to 3.0% (v/v) on the leaflets of the rose bushes. After 24 and 48 hours, we evaluated the mortality of insects by counting the number of dead insects. The results indicated that the essential oil of mentrasto presented himself as an excellent insecticide against M. euphorbiae.