Insecticide activity of croton floribundus and dipteryx alata extracts against leaf-cutting ants and citrus mealybug

Overview

This research investigates the insecticidal potential of plant-derived extracts and fractions from two Brazilian native species—Croton floribundus (Euphorbiaceae) and Dipteryx alata (Fabaceae)—against two economically significant agricultural pests: leaf-cutting ants (Atta sexdens) and citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri). The central hypothesis is that these botanical extracts and fractions promote neurotoxicity in target insects under controlled laboratory conditions. The work addresses the growing need for sustainable, plant-based pest management solutions that can reduce reliance on synthetic chemical insecticides while protecting crops and forestry operations.

Technical specifications

Research approach:

• Extraction and fractionation of bioactive compounds from Croton floribundus and Dipteryx alata
• Bioassay evaluation of neurotoxic effects on leaf-cutting ants (Atta sexdens) and citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri)
• Laboratory-based assessment of insecticidal activity under controlled conditions
• Comparative analysis between extract types and fractions to identify active components

Target pests and relevance:

• Leaf-cutting ants (Atta sexdens) cause significant damage to agriculture and forestry across South America
• Citrus mealybug (Planococcus citri) is a major pest in citrus production and ornamental crops
• Both pests have developed resistance to conventional synthetic insecticides

Technology readiness level

This research is at an early experimental stage, focused on laboratory validation of the insecticidal hypothesis. The project is conducted at the Instituto Federal de Educação, Ciência e Tecnologia de Mato Grosso (IFMT), which offers applied research capabilities, prototyping spaces, and established pathways for sponsored R&D, co-development, and licensing through its technology innovation agency (NIT) and Ativa incubator. The institute has EMBRAPII credentialing and competitive public funding from agencies including CNPq, FAPEMAT, CAPES, and Finep, enabling structured collaboration with industry partners. Further validation, formulation development, and field trials would be required before commercial application.