Sublethal effects and biological parameters of the botanical insecticides Matrine and Neemarin on the green oak Tortrix (Tortrix viridana L.)

Document Type : Scientific article

Authors

1 Postdoctoral Researcher in Entomology, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, I. R. Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, I. R. Iran

3 Ph.D. Graduate in Entomology, Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Urmia University, Urmia, I. R. Iran

Abstract

Background and Objective: Oak trees, as key species in the Zagros forests, play a crucial role in environmental stability, soil conservation, and biodiversity maintenance. However, the health of these ecosystems is severely affected by pests. One of the most significant pests of oak forests is the green oak leaf roller (Tortrix viridana L.), a univoltine species that feeds on vegetative and reproductive buds, flowers, and young leaves, causing severe defoliation, disruption of photosynthesis, and reduced tree fecundity. To manage this pest, the use of botanical insecticides such as Neemarin, extracted from the seeds of neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss), and Matrine, derived from the roots of Sophora flavescens Ait., has attracted attention as environmentally safe alternatives. These compounds exhibit not only lethal effects but also sublethal effects, including reduced fecundity, growth disruption, and feeding inhibition.
Material and Methods: Third-instar larvae of T. viridana were collected from Piranshahr oak forests in West Azerbaijan Province and transferred to the laboratory for bioassays. Fresh leaves of Quercus infectoria G. Olivier were used as food. Preliminary experiments were conducted to determine the effective concentration ranges of the botanical insecticides Matrine and Neemarin, after which five concentrations for each compound, along with a control, were selected. Oak leaves were immersed in the insecticide solutions for five seconds, allowed to air-dry, and then placed in Petri dishes covered with organza mesh, onto which larvae were transferred. Mortality was assessed after 48 hours using the hot-needle contact method. For sublethal effect assessment, third-instar larvae were treated with the LC₂₀ of Matrine and Neemarin and, after 24 hours, transferred to untreated leaves. Life-history parameters including longevity, survival, pupation rate, fecundity, and daily reproduction were recorded until death. Data were analyzed using SPSS for probit analysis, Twosex-MSChart for two-sex life table parameters, and SigmaPlot for graphing. Life-table parameters were compared using the bootstrap method.
Results: Lethal (LC₅₀) and sublethal (LC₂₀) concentrations of Matrine and Neemarin for third-instar larvae of the green oak leaf roller were determined. The LC₅₀ values were 23.80 μL/mL for Matrine and 243.21 μL/mL for Neemarin, while the LC₂₀ values were 20.29 μL/mL and 86.04 μL/mL, respectively, indicating higher pest susceptibility to Matrine. Examination of developmental stages revealed a significant reduction in adult longevity for Neemarin -treated (8.84 days) and Matrine-treated (10.85 days) insects compared with controls (13.40 days). Oviposition duration was also significantly reduced from 11.48 days in the control to 6.35 and 8.95 days for Neemarin and Matrine treatments, respectively. Fecundity at LC₂₀ concentrations of both insecticides was significantly lower than the control. Population parameters, including the net reproductive rate (R₀), intrinsic rate of increase (rₘ), and gross reproductive rate (GRR), differed significantly (p<0.05) between treated groups and the control. Age-stage-specific life expectancy (eₓⱼ) for the first control female was 17.03 days, compared with 14.18 and 12.05 days for Matrine and Neemarin treatments, respectively. Age-stage-specific reproductive value (vₓⱼ) was markedly lower in females treated with LC₂₀ insecticides, reflecting negative effects on survival and reproductive potential.
Conclusion: The results indicate that the botanical insecticides Matrine and Neemarin, exhibiting both lethal and sublethal effects on T. viridana larvae, are promising as low-risk, environmentally compatible alternatives to chemical pesticides. Significant reductions in fecundity, longevity, population growth rates, and other life-history traits at sublethal concentrations suggest their potential for gradual and sustainable pest population management. Therefore, integrating these botanical insecticides into pest management strategies, particularly in the sensitive Zagros forests, could reduce chemical pesticide use, preserve natural enemies, and promote long-term ecological sustainability and conservation of forest ecosystems.

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References

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Forest Research and Development
Volume 11, Issue 3
December 2025
Pages 335-352

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