Atividade do pó de folhas e do caule de Hymenaea courbaril L. (Fabaceae) sobre besouros Tenebrio molitor (Curculionoidea)

Abstract

Tenebrio molitor (Curculionoidea) is considered a cereal warehouse pest and can cause qualitative and quantitative losses, negatively impacting the food industries. For the control of mealworm, pesticides are applied that have unfavorable consequences for human health. Plant-based repellents are alternatives that cause less environmental impact. Hymenaea courbaril is a species belonging to the Fabaceae family, popularly known as jatobá, present in the cerrado vegetation. The objective of this work was to evaluate the repellency potential of jatobá using powder from the bark of the stem and leaves. The study was applied by the insect choice test in arenas and fasting stations for 24 hours before the beginning of the tests. The repellency index (RI) for the stem bark powder in the amount of 0.1g was 0.79±0.17, for 0.5g it was 1.22±0.31 and for 1.0g it was 0. 85±0.16, with no significant difference for 0.1g and 1.0g (p=0.05), while 0.5g showed a significant value (p=0.0304). The RI of the leaves in 0.1g was 0.89±0.24, for 0.5g it was 0.97±0.29 and 1g was 1.30±0.29 without significant value (p=0.063) for 0.1g and 0.5g, there was a significant value for 1.0g (p=0.009). These amounts demonstrated neutral potential in both powders, not being indicated to repeat this study with T. molitor as study insect.