Effects of botanical extracts of Neem (Azadirachta indica) and Jatropha (Jatropha curcus) on eggs and larvae of tomato leaf miner, Tuta absoluta (Meyrick) (Lepidoptera: Gelechiidae).

Laboratory experiments were conducted to investigate the insecticidal effects ofNeem (Azadirachta indica) seeds ethanolic extract and Jatropha (Jatropha curcus) seeds petroleum ether extract against eggs and larvae of tomato leaf miner (Tuta absoluta).Newly laid eggs of tomato leaf miner were treated topically by five concentrations (1000, 500, 250, 125 and 62.5 mg/L) of each plant seed extract. Meanwhile, the larvae were exposed to four concentrations (8000, 6000, 4000 and 2000 mg/L) of each plant seed extract. The mean percentage mortality of eggs and larvae were recorded daily for 4 days. Results indicated that, each plant seed extract caused significant mortality to eggs and larvae of T. absoluta after 4 days in comparison to control. After 4 days, around 25% and 18% of egg mortalities were obtained with the different concentrations of Neem and Jatropha extracts, respectively. On the other hand, larval mortalities ranging between 3346.7% and 23.5 48.5% were obtained after 24 hours with Neem and Jatropha seed extracts, respectively. Also, higher larval mortalities, up to 100%, were obtained with the two extracts after 4 days of treatments.