Toxicity and physiological effects of neem pesticides applied to rice on the Nilaparvata lugens Stål, the brown planthopper

The effects of two different neem products (Parker Oil™ and Neema®) on mortality, food consumption and survival of the brown planthopper, Nilaparvata lugens Stål (BPH) (Homoptera: Delphacidae) were investigated. The LC50 (3.45 ml/L for nymph and 4.42 ml/L for adult in Parker Oil™ treatment; 4.18 ml/L for nymph and 5.63 ml/L for adult in Neema® treatment) and LC90 (8.72 ml/L for nymph and 11.1 ml/L for adult in Parker Oil™ treatment; 9.84 ml/L for nymph and 13.07 ml/L for adult in Neema® treatment) were identified by probit analysis. The LC90 (equal to recommended dose) was applied in the rice field. The effective concentration of both Parker Oil™ and Neema® took more than 48 h to kill 80% of the N. lugens. Fourth instar nymph and adult female N. lugens were caged on rice plants and exposed to a series (both LC50 and LC90) of neem concentrations. Nymph and adult female N. lugens that were chronically exposed to neem pesticides showed immediate mortality after application in laboratory experiment. The quantity of food ingested and assimilated by N. lugens on neem-treated rice plants was significantly less than on control rice plants. The results clearly indicate the neem-based pesticide (Parker Oil™ and Neema®), containing low lethal concentration, can be used effectively to inhibit the growth and survival of N. lugens.