Insecticidal activity of Baccharisessential oils against Duponchelia fovealis,toxicity to strawberry leaves, and in vitrobiocompatibility with entomopathogenic fungi

ABSTRACTDuponchelia fovealisis responsible for great losses in the strawberry production, and entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are an alternative to control this larva. They can be used in combination with other natural compounds with insecticidal activity, such as plant extracts or essential oils (EOs). Thus, our objectives are to evaluate the effects of Baccharis dracunculifoliaand Baccharis uncinellaEOs on strawberry leaves and third instar larvae of D. fovealis, and to evaluate their in vitrocompatibility with strains of Beauveria bassianaand Cordyceps javanica. EOs were not phytotoxic to strawberry leaves at 2% v/v. Larval mortality ranged between 48% and 83% at 1% and 2%, and B. dracunculifoliaEO at 2% presented the higher mortality. EO of B. uncinella(BU) at 1% was compatible with two strains of B. bassianaand C. javanica. Therefore, the combined use of BU EO with EPF may be an alternative to control D. fovealis.