The toxicity of garlic is confirmed on some agricultural pests. The aim of this study was to comparatively evaluate the sensitivity of
Podisus maculiventris (Say) to garlic extract and two insect pests:
Mediterranean flour moth Ephestia kuehniella (Zeller) and Colorado potato beetle
Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say). LC
50 was calculated at 8.02% for
E. kuehniella. The results showed toxic compounds in garlic extract delayed all developmental stages and reproduction parameters of
L. decemlineata. In contrast, there were no considerable negative effects on many of the biological parameters of the predatory insect,
P. maculiventris. The results suggest that garlic, as a green pesticide, could be considered an environmentally suitable alternative in pest management programs.
