Extracts of Melia azedarach Increases Mulberry Whitefly Mortality without Affecting Silkworm Survivorship

Melia azedarach L. extracts were studied in comparison with selected synthetic in-secticides against the mulberry whiteflies Pealiusma chili and P. mori under labora-tory conditions. Morus alba (cv. “Early Spring”) leaves infested by mulberry white-flies were exposed to Melia extracts of green fruits, l-cyhalothrin (10% a.i.) and con-trol. Also, white mulberry leaves after treatment with the same insecticides were provided to silkworms for consumption. Results have shown that there were signif-icant differences in the nymphal mortality of the whiteflies among treatments. Melia extracts and l-cyhalothrin were effective in increasing whitefly mortality 24 h after application. Furthermore, Melia extracts didn’t affect silkworm survivorship, which was severely affected by l-cyhalothrin treatment, since all the silkworms fed on treated leaves were found dead. Thus, these extracts might be considered a potential alternative in management of the mulberry whiteflies.