Insecticidal Activity of Kantutai (Lantana camara), Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and Atis

(Annona squamosa) Leaves Against Mealybugs (Pseudococcidae sternorrhyncha)

Background of The Study:

Mealybugs (Pseudococcidae sternorrhyncha) are insects that gets its nutrients living off
plants, which causes the plant to weaken resulting in yellowing and curling of the leaves, in
addition to this, Mealybugs also secretes honeydew which increases the chance of growth for
sooty molds. Mealybugs are commonly found on plants placed in a warm climate which is why
residential areas and households are a breeding ground for these pests, though their damage at
an early stage may be insignificant however once they spread throughout the plant from leaves
to roots the damage can be irreversible. Pest control for the Mealybugs is often tricky because
most of its populations are under the cordon or bark to hide from potential predators which
forces plant owners to resort to chemical pesticides.

However the most common argument used against the use of pesticides is that it is toxic to
use, especially in areas where human exposure is inevitable such as in residential areas or
farms. The chemicals that are most commonly part of pesticides can cause stinging eyes,
rashes, blisters, blindness, nausea, dizziness, diarrhea and even death. But humans aren't the
only one that can be affected, almost all organic life can be harmed by insecticides and
pesticides in one way or another. Because of all the possible harms that most commercially
used pesticides bring, alternative pesticides are in high demand, however those offer weaker
killing rate in exchange for little to no harmful effects for organic life outside the target specie.

This is where this study comes in that aims to determine the efficacy of Kantutai (Lantana
camara), Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and Atis (Annona squamosa) leaves ethanol extract
as a safe alternative pesticide against mealybugs (Pseudococcidae sternorrhyncha) and whether
or not it will have a better effect than a commercially used pesticide. In this study, it will
promote the use of organic plants in the Philippines in order to make an eco-friendly pesticide.