Comparative lethal toxicity of neem-based commercial formulations to corn leafhopper, the corn stunt complex vector

Resumo

In this study, we evaluated the lethal toxicity of commercial neem-based formulations against the corn leafhopper (Dalbulus maidis), the corn stunt complex (CSC) disease vector to maize crops. In topical application bioassays, Fitoneem^® (LC₅₀ = 1251 mg L^-1) and Lagartol^® (LC₅₀ = 1316 mg L^-1) were observed to cause mortality in more than 80% of D. maidis adults, exhibiting equitoxicity to the positive control (ethripole-based formulation). In contrast, Original Neem^® and Original Plus^® showed greater lethal toxicity for D. maidis adults through residual contact, however, at a lower level of activity. Thus, these formulations have potential to be used in the framework of D. maidis management, contributing to mitigate the incidence and severity of infestation of CSC, and preserve the productive potential of the corn crops.