Neem extracts contain azadirachtin, which is considered to be the most biologically active ingredient. Other active compounds are present in the neem extract and may interact to alter the toxicity of this mixture. A study was conducted using various neem-based compounds containing different concentrations of azadirachtin to establish its role in biological activity using the squash bug Anasa tristis De Geer (Hemiptera: coreidae). While pure azadirachtin had biological activity, crude extract preparations had even higher activity that was maintained with reduced levels of azadirachtin. With such levels of activity, it might be more effective to use less refined neem products and avoid laborious and expensive processing of the oil.
Species 1: Hemiptera Coreidae Anasa tristis (Squash bug)
Species 2: Melliaceae Azadirachta indica (neem)
Keywords: neem toxicity
The ESA 2001 Annual Meeting - 2001: An Entomological Odyssey of ESA