Effect of Post-Treatment Temperature on the Insecticidal Activity of Neem, Azadirachta Indica A. Juss. Seed extract on Schistocerca Gregaria (Forskal): A preliminary Report

Abstract

The influence of post-treatment temperature on the insecticidal activity of Azadirachta indica (A. Juss) seed extract against the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål) is reported. In tests on adults, the toxicity of crude A. indica seed extract increased by about 10-fold when the post-treatment temperature was raised from 22°C to 40°C. This temperature-dependent toxicity was observed in insects treated either topically or via injection. This phenomenon could partly explain the wide variability in efficacy of neem extracts reported by different investigators.