Artemisia annua Aqueous Extract as a Biocidal Agent against Alphitobius diaperinus Beetles in Poultry Litter
Luciano Melo de Souza
Veterinary Parasitology Laboratory, Brazil University (UB), Descalvado, São Paulo, Brazil.
Maicon Aparecido Olin
Laboratory of Animal Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brazil University (UB), Descalvado, São Paulo, Brazil.
Camila Carlino-Costa
Department of One Health, São Paulo State University (FCAV-UNESP), Jaboticabal, São Paulo, Brazil.
Fábio Mazzonetto
Agricultural Entomology Laboratory, Brazil University (UB), Descalvado, São Paulo, Brazil.
Ilza Maria de Oliveira Sousa
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
Mary Ann Foglio
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, State University of Campinas (UNICAMP), Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil.
Gabriel Conde
College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Araraquara (UNIARA), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil.
Ives Charlie-Silva
Institute of Chemistry, São Paulo State University (UNESP), Araraquara, São Paulo, Brazil.
Käthery Brennecke
Laboratory of Animal Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brazil University (UB), Descalvado, São Paulo, Brazil.
Luiz Arthur Malta Pereira
Laboratory of Animal Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brazil University (UB), Descalvado, São Paulo, Brazil.
Marco Antonio de Andrade Belo *
Laboratory of Animal Pharmacology and Toxicology, Brazil University (UB), Descalvado, São Paulo, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Given the importance of controlling the lesser mealworm Alphitobius diaperinus (Panzer) (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae) in poultry farms, this study evaluated the biopesticidal activity of an aqueous extract of Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae). Dried leaves of A. annua were analyzed for artemisinin (ART) content, and adult beetles were randomly distributed into 12 Petri dishes (100 insects each) to form four treatments in triplicate: a negative control (distilled water) and extracts containing 19.2, 38.4, and 76.8 mg ART/mL. Filter papers were treated with 10 mL of each solution, and insect mortality was assessed after 1, 3, 12, and 24 h of exposure. The aqueous extract of A. annua showed a clear concentration-dependent insecticidal effect against adult A. diaperinus, with mortality rates of 33.6%, 40.0%, and 57.3% after 24 h for concentrations of 19.2, 38.4, and 76.8 mg ART/mL, respectively, compared with the control group. The estimated lethal concentration for 50% mortality at 24 h (LC₅₀-24h) was 59.2 mg ART/mL. Under these controlled experimental conditions, the aqueous extract of A. annua demonstrated significant efficacy against A. diaperinus, highlighting the potential of artemisinin-based products for the environmental control of lesser mealworm populations in poultry farms.
Keywords: Coleoptera, tenebrionidae, lesser mealworm, artemisinin, integrated pest management, veterinary entomology