Abstract

JUAREZ-FLORES, B.I.; JASSO-PINEDA, Y.; AGUIRRE-RIVERA, J.R.  and  JASSO- PINEDA, I.. Effect of Asteraceae powder against the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motsch). Polibotánica [online]. 2010, n.30, pp.123-135. ISSN 1405-2768.

Eighty one species of Asteraceae collected in the Mexican highlands were evaluated for their usefulness against the maize weevil (Sitophilus zeamais Motsch). Flowers and leaves of each species were separated, dehydrated, and ground. One hundred grams of disinfected grains of maize cv. Cacahuazintle were placed in 250 ml glass jar and mixed with 100 g of plant powder. Ten pairs of 3 to 5 day old weevils were then introduced into each jar. Only grains and insects were placed in control jars. All the experimental jars were kept under constant relative humidity and temperature. After 15 days, all the insects were removed and mortality was recorded. Fifty five days after the experiment was initiated, F₁ progeny emergence was assessed. Based on mortalities ranging from 80 to 98%, the best treatments were the leaf powders of Aster subulatus, Chrysactinia mexicana, Heliopsis annua, Heterotheca subaxillaris, Parthenium incanum, Stevia serrata, and Zinnia peruviana, as well as floral powders of Thymophylla pentachaeta, Erigeron longipes, Heterotheca inuloides var. rosei, Senecio flaccidus, and Stevia serrata. With regard to F₁ emergence, the best treatment was the leaf powder of C. mexicana, which totally prevented F₁ progeny from emerging.

Keywords : grain storage plague; Asteraceae; maize weevil.

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