EFECTIVIDAD DEL EXTRACTO DE Furcraea hexapetala (Jacq.) Urban SOBRE Polyphagotarsonemus latus Banks EN CONDICIONES DE LABORATORIO

the investigation was developed in 2009 aiming to determine the technical effectiveness of the natural extract of furcraea hexapetala (jacq.) urban, known as maguey, on polyphagotarsonemus latus banks (white mite) under laboratory conditions, rearing the noxious agent on potato and pepper leaves. for each substrate, an assay was conducted using a totally randomized design with five treatments, four with the preparations of the plant extract (100%; 50%; 25%; 12,5%) and a control. the percentage of mortality by treatment was determined at the 24, 48 and 72 hours after the experiment was initiated, an analysis of variance was carried out. the extract of f. hexapetala showed technical effectiveness higher than 70% on p. latus at all the concentrations tested, differing from the control having the mite been reared on potato or pepper leaves. these results suggest the necessity to continue the assays under field conditions and to deepen on the identification of the active principle producing the acaricide action.