Toxicity of Indian Mustard and Allyl Isothiocyanate to Masked Chafer Beetle Larvae
Alternatives for control of soil-inhabiting pests are needed due to the phase-out of methyl bromide. One possible alternative is using the pesticidal properties of compounds released by macerated Brassica tissues. In this study, larvae of masked chafer beetles (Cyclocephala spp.) were placed in soil amended with Brassica juncea L. (PI 458934) tissue. Allyl isothiocyanate (AITC) levels were positively correlated to larval mortality, with the 8% B. juncea treatment resulting in 100% larval mortality with an average AITC concentration of 11.4 mg per liter of soil atmosphere. Although B. juncea produces high levels of AITC, the mass of tissue required for significant insecticidal activity against Cyclocephala spp. also is high, between 4 and 8% of soil mass for this plant accession. Accepted for publication 23 May 2002. Published 10 June 2002.