Essential oils as environmentally friendly insecticides for controlling cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis (Tinsley) (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae)

Eight plant essential oils were extracted and tested for their efficiency as natural insecticides against the cotton mealybug, P. solenopsis (Tinsley). In-vitro bioassay, contact toxicity of to adult females 2nd instar nymphs was determined. Also, repellence activity tested. The most effective oil female’s after 72 hrs application L. nobilis followed by Apium graveolens, M. longifolia, C. articulates, sativa, A. O. vulgar, then F. vulgar. showed more susceptibility all essential. Regarding repellency, longifolia highest repellency effect but unfortunately with high degradation rate. repellent satisfactory stability nobilis, vulgar articulates. efficacy in open field conditions. efficient at 72hrs treatment which great reduction percentage (89.3%) graveolens (88.6%), articulates (87.8%), sativa (87.7%), (86.9%), (85.9%) (85.2%), respectively.