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In the European Union, the use of the insecticide NeemAzal T/S (standardised variant 1% of the active ingredient azadirachtin) is authorised in organic agriculture. The objective of this study was to determine the toxic effects of NeemAzal T/S at concentrations of 3, 10, 30, and 60 mg/lon the morphometric and condition characteristics, mortality, hatching, and histopathology of early-life stages of common carp (Cyprinus carpio L.) as a non-target aquatic organism, as well as related effects of NeemAzal T/S on selected indices of oxidative stress in the same organism. The embryo-larval toxicity test was performed according to OECD Guidelines 210 (Fish, Early-life Stage Toxicity Test). NeemAzal T/S exposure induced slow hatching on the first day and increased cumulative mortality in groups exposed to the insecticide. No effect on morphometric or condition characteristics was observed after 31 days of exposure. Histopathological changes of the gills were found at the highest concentration of 60 mg/lof NeemAzal T/S. Exposure at 30 mg/lwas associated with significantly (P < 0.01) increased glutathione peroxidase and glutathione S-transferase (P < 0.05) activities compared to the control group. The content of oxidised lipids was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the 3, 10, and 30 mg/l experimental groups than in the controls. NeemAzal T/S exerted a significant negative influence on histopathological parameters in the embryo and larvae of common carp, as well as on the indices of oxidative stress in the same organism.

This study evaluated the efficacy of the foliage-dwelling predator Orius laevigatus , soil applied entomopathogens and azadirachtin alone and in combinations for controlling western flower thrips (WFT). Evaluated products were Nemastar ® Steinernema carpocapsae (E-nema) and O . laevigatus (Re-natur), Metarhizium anisopliae isolate ICIPE-69 and NeemAzal-T (azadirachtin) (Trifolio). Efficacy against WFT was significantly improved by combined treatments achieving 62–97 % reduction in WFT emergence, compared to 45–74 % in single treatments, and interactions resulted in two synergistic and eight additive responses. Metarhizium -based treatments reduced WFT survival by 93–99.6 % when late mortality by mycosis was considered. Halving the number of released predators did not significantly reduce efficacy (86–96 vs. 76–88 % thrips reduction), and when Orius was introduced to target L1 of WFT, 96–98 % reduction was achieved while only 71–89 % for L2. Early release of O . laevigatus and combination with soil application of NeemAzal-T and/or entomopathogens can be a successful and reliable biocontrol strategy for WFT.

Two neem-derived pesticides were examined under in vitro and in vivo conditions to test their efficacy in controlling Plasmopara halstedii pathotype 704, a causal agent of downy mildew in sunflower. All the tested concentrations of neem leaf extract and the highest concentration of commercial neem product significantly reduced the sporangial germination under in vitro conditions. In in vivo experiment, 3-days old pre-treated seedlings with both concentrations of neem leaf extract and the highest concentration of commercial product showed a significant reduction in the infection indicating possible systemic effect of neem. When the seedlings were treated following the infection with P. halstedii (i.e., post-treatment), only the highest concentrations of neem leaf extract and the commercial product showed a significant reduction in the infection indicating curative effect of neem. Possibilities for the control of P. halstedii with neem-derived pesticides are discussed.

Background Serious damage of red palm weevil to date palm encourages its control by various measures. The present work was carried out to investigate the effects of some insecticides of different categories (Pyriproxyfen, Neemazal, and Spinetoram) on the activities of phosphatases (acid phosphatase; ACP, alkaline phosphatase; ALP) and transaminases (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase; GOT, glutamine pyruvic transaminase; GPT) in both haemolymph and fat body of the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus 5th instar larvae. Results After 24-h treatment by sublethal concentrations LC50 and LC75: 1067.5, 2317.5 ppm (Pyriproxyfen), 14,600, 27,100 ppm (Neemazal), and 18.37, 88.60 ppm (Spinetoram). Depending on the present results, the enzyme activities in both haemolymph and fat body tissues had been altered. Spinetoram inhibited the activities of both phosphatase and transaminase enzymes in the two tissues with an exception for the transaminases in haemolymph tissue at LC 50 . On the other hand, Pyriproxyfen stimulated GOT activity in the two tissues but inhibited GPT activity with no exception. While, phosphatases were inhibited with few exception. Neemazal LC 75 stimulated phosphatases in the two tissues while transaminases were fluctuated. Conclusion Spinetoram exhibited the most potent compound for inhibiting the enzyme activities.

The house fly, Musca domestica, is a very significant pest due to transmitting of various human and animal pathogenic diseases. In a response to environmental threats of chemical insecticides, toxic and biochemical effects of a relatively new plant extracts of willow (Salix aegyptiaca L.) and chasteberry (Vitex agnus-castus L.) comparing with NeemAzal T/S were studied on 3rd larval instar of M. domestica. Results showed that NeemAzal T/S is highly toxic to 3rd larval instar with LC50 and LC90 of 0.009 and 0.098 µg mL-1, respectively. Whereas, willow and chasteberry showed low toxic effects comparing with NeemAzal T/S with LC90 of 70.048 and 66.698 µg mL-1, respectively. Concentrations of total protein markedly decreased in 3rd larval instar after 24 hours exposure to NeemAzal T/S, willow and chasteberry with no significant effects on total lipids compared with control. NeemAzal T/S, willow and chasteberry significantly decreased ALT activity, but NeemAzal T/S only markedly decreased AST activity. On the other hand, amylase (EC3.2.1.1) significantlyincreased due to exposure to all tested substances with only significant increase in invertase (EC 3.2.1.26) activity due to exposure to chasteberry. Larval exposure to NeemAzal T/S, willow or chasteberry showed normal trehalase (EC 3.2.1.28) activity as control. These findings show that willow and chasteberry can cause marked toxic effects on larvae of M. domestica as well as NeemAzal T/S, which suggesting that more studies on insect development using these plant extracts could be useful

Background Research efforts to identify possible alternative control tools for malaria and African trypanosomiasis are needed. One promising approach relies on the use of traditional plant remedies with insecticidal activities. Methods In this study, we assessed the effect of blood treated with different doses of NeemAzal ® (NA, neem seed extract) on mosquitoes ( Anopheles coluzzii ) and tsetse flies ( Glossina palpalis gambiensis ) (i) avidity to feed on the treated blood, (ii) longevity, and (iii) behavioural responses to human and calf odours in dual-choice tests. We also gauged NeemAzal ® toxicity in mice. Results In An. coluzzii , the ingestion of NA in bloodmeals offered by membrane feeding resulted in (i) primary antifeedancy; (ii) decreased longevity; and (iii) reduced response to host odours. In G. palpalis gambiensis , NA caused (i) a knock-down effect; (ii) decreased or increased longevity depending on the dose; and (iii) reduced response to host stimuli. In both cases, NA did not affect the anthropophilic rate of activated insects. Overall, the most significant effects were observed with NA treated bloodmeals at a dose of 2000 μg/ml for mosquitoes and 50 μg/ml for tsetse flies. Although no mortality in mice was observed after 14 days of follow-up at oral doses of 3.8, 5.6, 8.4 and 12.7 g/kg, behavioural alterations were noticed at doses above 8 g/kg. Conclusion This study revealed promising activity of NA on A. coluzzii and G. palpalis gambiensis but additional research is needed to assess field efficacy of neem products to be possibly integrated in vector control programmes.

A trial was conducted in the experimental field of the Institute of Forage Crops, Bulgaria, over the period 2012-2014 with alfalfa wich grew for seed production. It was studied the action of three insecticides (two biological/NeemAzal T/S and Pyrethrum FS EC/and one synthetic insecticide Nurelle D - standard) to a control of lucerne seed weevil, Tychius flavus Beck. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae); alfalfa plant bug, Adelphocoris lineolatus Goeze (Hemiptera, Heteroptera: Miridae) and pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum Harr. (Hemiptera, Sternorrhyncha: Aphididae) - major pests in alfalfa seed production. The method of sweeping with entomological net was used. Organic products were most effective against A. pisum. Increasing efficacy of NeemAzal reached satisfactory values of 67.8 and 69.1 percent of the seventh and ninth day after the application. Pyrethrum exhibited strong efficacy throughout the reporting period in the range 73.9-82.8% and differences between bioinsecticides were significant. In compared with standard its toxic action after the fifth day was approached the effect of synthetic insecticide with minor differences between them. Bioinsecticides exhibited good control against A. lineolatus as the trend of the better protective effect of Pyrethrum was retained. A dominant influence on the efficacy variation and seed productivity had the type of insecticide followed by factors year of treatment. The productivity of alfalfa grown for seed production realized after application of Pyrethrum significantly exceeded control and was comparable to that of Nurelle D.

The efficacy of NeemAzal powder, two local neem ( Azadirachta indica ) products [neem seed powder (NSP) and neem seed oil (NSO)], as well as a local Lamiaceae, Plectranthus glandulosus leaf powder, applied at four different rates for the control of Sitophilus zeamais was determined . Mortality was recorded 1, 3, 7 and 14 days after S. zeamais infestation, followed by the determination of F 1 progeny production. Grain damage, population increase and grain germination were assessed for treated grains that were stored for 4 months. Grains treated with P. glandulosus powder and NSP had relatively low mortality (5.0–22.5%) after 3 days whereas NeemAzal and NSO had higher mortality (55.0–98.8%). Maximum mortality of 99, 100, 96 and 74% were achieved for NeemAzal (12 g/kg after 14 days), NSO (4 ml/kg after 7 days), NSP (40 g/kg after 14 days) and P. glandulosus powder (40 g/kg, after 14 days), respectively. In the same order, 7-day LC 50 values were 0.02 g/kg, 1.46 ml/kg, 12.44 g/kg and 28.9 g/kg. The three neem products greatly reduced progeny emergence, while P. glandulosus powder was less effective. NeemAzal protected the grains against S. zeamais damage better than the local neem products, which in turn provided far better grain protection against the weevil damage than P. glandulosus powder. NeemAzal was superior to the local neem products in grain protection against germination loss, with P. glandulosus being the least effective. NeemAzal and NSO had sufficient efficacy to be a component of an integrated management package for S. zeamais .

In 2010 and 2011, the efficiency of azadirachtin, applied as systemic trunk injections in the trunks of Platanus sp., was tested against Corythucha ciliata. Azadirachtin in the doses of 0.1 and 0.05 g of active ingredient per cm of diameter at breast height was applied in April. It was found that after application of both doses, the count of C. ciliata in plane-tree leaves significantly decreased. In 2010 and 2011, the average counted number of C. ciliata individuals in trees treated with the dose 0.1 g a.i./cm of dbh was 12.9 and 4.9, respectively. It was 29.1 and 6.5 individuals, respectively, in trees treated with the dose 0.05 g a.i./cm of dbh, and in the control it was 152.3 and 105.8 individuals, respectively.