Aqueous extract of chili pepper in the management of the pink hibiscus mealybug (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Maconellicoccus hirsutus (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a polyphagous pest, attacks several crops of economic importance, including cocoa and coffee. Due to its rapid dissemination, studies are needed develop management programs combat this as few seek the effectiveness alternative products such plant extracts, which can be promising in control. Therefore, work aimed evaluate efficiency aqueous extract fruits chili pepper Capsicum frutescens (Solanaceae) pink hibiscus mealybug. The tests were carried out acclimatized chambers regulated at temperature 25 ± 1 ºC, relative humidity 70 10%, 12-hour photophase. treatments consisted five concentrations: 0.0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10% (weight/volume). Coffee leaves submerged solution mounted Petri dishes with agar transfer mealybugs. Each treatment 10 repetitions young mealybugs each. experiment was evaluated 24, 48, 72 h after procedure. Data submitted for analysis variance regression test (p≤0.05). Lethal concentration (LC50) estimated using Probit analysis. mortality increased increase concentrations, mortalities greater than 70% from lowest concentration. data fit model, χ² 1.0478 (p > 0.05) curve slope 1.7799. LC50 0.96%. Thus, M. hirsutus.